Lincoln City told to avoid Charlie Savage 'bidding war' as £800k claims made | OneFootball

The Imps have been linked with a move for the Royals' central-midfielder.

Lincoln City are preparing for a new dawn after they achieved promotion to the second tier of English football.

The Imps took League One by storm this season, finishing as runaway champions and a remarkable 26 points clear of Stockport County in third.

While there is every reason to celebrate, the club will not want to stop there as they strive to survive in the Championship at the first attempt, with summer recruitment of the utmost importance.

Lincoln have had time to prepare a list of potential targets, but has been warned about pursuing an £800,000-rated Reading talent who is set to be in demand.

Lincoln City told to steer clear of Reading's Charlie Savage

Michael Skubala has done a stellar job in taking the Imps from mid-table mediocrity to the Championship in the space of two and a half years with one of the lowest wage bills in the division.

The 43-year-old has managed to strike the perfect balance between defence and attack at the LNER Stadium, with Conor McGrandles, Tom Bayliss and Ivan Varfolomeev all playing their part in the hub of midfield.

Despite their midfield prowess, Lincoln have been linked with a move for Reading's Charlie Savage, along with several other clubs, including Cardiff City, as they look to bolster their midfield.

When asked if his club should be trying to land the Wales international and whether he could make the step-up to the Championship, the Imps' FLW fan pundit, Gary Hutchinson, shared his thoughts on such a move.

"I don't have doubts about Charlie Savage being able to step up to the Championship, but I do have doubts about whether he's worth £800,000 of Lincoln City's money to see whether he can do so or not," he told Football League World.

"In terms of position, we're pretty strong in central midfield. I think Conor McGrandles and Ivan Varfolomeev will step up, and I think we will be making a signing in that position.

"But do I think we'll be spending £800,000, which would be a substantial fee for us? It would be a club record fee. If we're going to spend a club record fee, I don't see us doing it on a player like Charlie Savage, for instance, getting into the bidding war with Cardiff. We won't be doing that. We'll be avoiding bidding wars as much as possible."

Savage has Championship credentials amid transfer links

Savage may have come through the Manchester United youth system just like his father, Robbie, but he has had to forge a career in the lower leagues to develop as a player.

After a brief loan spell with Forest Green Rovers, the 23-year-old has established himself at Reading, where he has amassed 142 appearances in three seasons, becoming a regular starter in the process.

"I liked him when he played for Reading. I think he's got all the credentials necessary to step up to the Championship," Gary continued.

Indeed, his statistics make for promising reading and justify the early summer transfer links in his services from Cardiff and Co.

His 14 league goals and 20 assists over three seasons make for encouraging reading, while he ranked in the top 11 percent of League One central-midfielders for successful passes, chances created and successful crosses this campaign, according to Fotmob.

At 23, Savage has significant potential, but the reported price tag could put a club like Lincoln off, despite their ambition to succeed in the second tier.

"I just don't necessarily think that Lincoln City are a team that will be paying £800,000 to roll the dice in that respect, considering the ceiling that would be put on it," Gary added.

"Bearing in mind, we signed Ivan Varfolomeev for what will eventually rise to maybe £600,000, so there's a little less risk attached to signings like that."

Of course, Gary does have a strong point, given that the Imps would likely have to break their transfer record fee to sign Savage, while there is no guarantee he would be a success.

Over the years, Lincoln have reinvested their money smartly rather than spend heavily on specific talent, which means the potential signing of Savage would fall out of the norm.

Given that they are entering uncharted territory, the Imps may decide to tweak their approach this summer, but it would feel daft for the club to enter bidding wars over pricey players.