Sheffield United, Norwich City transfer development ought to spark Reading FC fear | OneFootball

The Royals will be doing all they can to keep hold of the Welshman this month

During one of the most unstable periods of Reading FC’s history off the pitch, the Royals have been defying the odds to maintain a League One promotion push of late, with Charlie Savage being one of the main protagonists.

The midfielder has played a crucial role in helping the Berkshire side sit among the top six in the division as 2025 gets underway, with his commandeering performances in the centre of the park helping maintain a sense of stability for his teammates.

With seven goal contributions to his name, as well as offering a reassuring presence in the engine room, it will have come as no surprise to see a number of Championship clubs linked with his signature this winter, with Sheffield United and Norwich City said to be among the clubs keen on making a move in the coming weeks.

With the Royals continuing to be on the brink of collapse under the ownership of Dai Yongge and the never-ending sale of the club, the departure of the 21-year-old could hit the club hard, with a transfer embargo seeing them unable to bring in replacements when they need them the most.

Having joined Reading from Manchester United in the summer of 2023, Savage has proven himself to be one of the standout stars at the Select Car Leasing Stadium over the past 18 months, with a maturity in his performances that belies his years.

The Welsh international has established himself as a key part of the Royals side that continues to defy the odds near the top of the League One table, with Ruben Selles and Noel Hunt striving to capitalise on his abilities during their time in charge of the cash-strapped club.

With over 80 appearances for the club during that time, Savage has matured and developed into a top League One player, and looks destined to play further up the football pyramid in his career, following in the footsteps of his father Robbie, who turned our for the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Derby County and Birmingham City during his career.

His performances in Berkshire have already caught the eye of a number of Championship sides, with CaughtOffside naming Sheffield United, Norwich City and Stoke City as three potential suitors as the January transfer window gets into full swing.

Having signed a four-year deal with the club 18 months ago, Reading are likely to be well reimbursed if Savage does move on, but with no chance of reinvesting that money back into the playing squad at this moment in time, losing a main midfielder could have a detrimental impact on their 24/25 campaign.

Savage’s arrival at Reading marks the last transfer window that the club brought in players on a permanent deal, with the Royals resorting to loan moves over the past 12 months.

With a transfer embargo still in place, new boss Hunt is down to the bare bones in terms of playing personnel, and the potential loss of a key man in the midfield could be a hammer blow to their chances of maintaining a play-off challenge in the season to come.

While the exuberance of youth continues to come to the fore for the former Premier League side, the importance of a number of key names has never been more prominent after the departure of Selles, as a tight-knit group continues to battle against all that is thrown against them.

As well as Savage, frontman Harvey Knibbs is also said to be attracting Championship interest according to The Telegraph, as those with more cash in their back pocket look to exploit Reading’s financial frailties at the most crucial of times.

One by one, the brightest talents will continue to get cherry-picked, and if Savage and Knibbs do set sail in the weeks to come, the remainder of the season could well be a lot bleaker for those who have stuck with the club through its tumultuous tribulations.