Portsmouth FC told to consider £2m hurdle in pursuit of Reading FC player | OneFootball

FLW's Portsmouth fan pundit isn't too keen on bringing the Reading creative midfielder in for £2 million

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk‘ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Despite only just turning 22, Charlie Savage has amassed 100 League One appearances already in his young career, and after impressing last season, he is, unsurprisingly, the subject of interest from various Championship clubs.

With Football Insider reporting that newly promoted Wrexham and Birmingham City have joined 2023/24's League One champions, Portsmouth, in a race to sign the former Manchester United academy man, it seems Reading are set to incur a struggle to ensure Savage stays for a third season at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

However, if he were to leave, the report states that Reading will likely pocket their valued £2 million for his services.

Savage is on his way to being, or in some eyes already is, one of the more exciting young players in the EFL, but FLW's Portsmouth fan pundit, Miltos Ioannidis, is unsure where he'd fit in Pompey's side, especially given Callum Lang's solid form across the 2024/25 campaign.

Portsmouth parting with £2 million for a "back-up" player questioned

Ioannidis admitted to Football League World that he's not fully clued-up on Charlie Savage's game, but did state that he is aware that he has substantial qualities.

"I don't know too much about Savage and the type of player he is," he said. "But I did see the rumour earlier, and what I do know is that he's had a great season in League One, and he had very good numbers last season as well."

The 22-year-old appeared in all but one game for the Royals this season, picking up five goals and nine assists, the latter being the joint-second-most in League One.

"He's a proven League One player and Reading fans speak very highly of him, so he's clearly one of their more important players," he continued.

However, he believes that the £2 million price tag will put Portsmouth off, despite him stating that the club will likely be looking to improve their depth there this summer.

"He plays in a position where we will be looking to bring in a player this summer, but we have Callum Lang there, who plays in a similar position to that of Savage's.

"We need depth and competition, but I don't think we would splash two million on someone who could just be a backup.

"That price could put off plenty of sides who may have otherwise held an interest in him - let's see how it develops."

Charlie Savage and Callum Lang could co-exist in the same squad if a sale were made

If Charlie Savage did end up at Fratton Park this summer, there is a likelihood that Callum Lang, who has just come off the back of his first 10-goal season in the Championship, wouldn't have to step aside.

Whilst both John Mousinho and Noel Hunt primarily play 4-3-3 formations, Pompey play more with an attacking midfielder (usually Callum Lang), whilst Hunt's Reading usually play with Lewis Wing behind Harvey Knibbs and Charlie Savage.

Given Knibbs' clear attacking qualities, Savage hasn't played as the out-and-out attack-minded midfielder much this season, and therefore could slot in behind Lang in Portsmouth's line-up.

With Freddie Potts on his way back to West Ham after his loan spell ended, perhaps Savage could replace him next season, if a deal were to be made.