Sheffield United target should take key stance on Reading FC future | OneFootball

Charlie Savage should be prepared to stay put at the Select Car Leasing Stadium for now, despite attracting Championship interest.

Reading midfielder Charlie Savage has taken his game to a new level this season, doing enough to attract interest from Sheffield United and other Championship teams.

It's fair to say that he didn't make the best start to life at the Select Car Leasing Stadium after joining during the summer of 2023, even though he scored a free-kick against Millwall during that August.

He struggled in Ruben Selles' 4-2-2-2 system, like a lot of players did, and he was accused of being too lightweight at times.

There's never been a question about his commitment - because he has always run around tirelessly for the Royals.

But it was clear he didn't suit the 4-2-2-2 formation - and he benefited when the Berkshire side moved to the 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1 systems.

He didn't start every game last season, but was still able to contribute, and he has done exceptionally well during the 2024/25 campaign so far.

The Wales international has been particularly important in recent games, covering the left channel exceptionally well and helping the inexperienced Abraham Kanu out when needed.

Savage also presses defenders well and his perseverance often brings him joy, as well as his shooting ability, with his goal against Charlton Athletic earlier in the season reinforcing just how much of a game-changer he can be from long range.

Doing well in all thirds, the Royals won't want to lose him anytime soon.

Charlie Savage attracting Championship interest

According to Caught Offside, the midfielder is attracting interest from a few English second-tier sides.

The Blades, Norwich City and Stoke City are all monitoring him ahead of a potential January window swoop - and all three teams could potentially have the funds to get a deal over the line for him.

Chris Wilder's side have now been taken over, and the new owners will be keen to make a positive impression during their first window at the helm.

But whether they are prepared to launch a sizeable bid for Savage remains to be seen.

The Royals may be enduring cash flow issues at this stage, but the Welshman's contract doesn't expire until 2027, so it may take a big bid to lure him away from the SCL Stadium.

Charlie Savage should consider Reading FC stay

The SCL Stadium isn't the very best place for a footballer to be at this stage, due to their cash flow issues. You can argue, too, that Bramall Lane is an attractive place to play your football, with the Blades going strongly in pursuit of promotion back to the Premier League; Savage could, realistically, be gracing the top-flight with the South Yorkshire outfit before long.

However, the Royals are doing fairly well on the pitch at this stage and some fairly young footballers, including Savage, are getting the opportunity to start every week.

This guarantee of game time is one reason why Savage should seriously consider staying in Berkshire for now, even if approaches are made for him during the current window.

At 21, Savage is at a delicate stage of his career.

Not winning much game time now could put a ceiling on his potential - and that's why he will be glad that he's winning so much game time at the moment.

Last season, he wasn't always a regular starter. And even this season, he has been on the bench at times.

But with Ben Elliott out of action for a while and Harvey Knibbs being heavily linked with a move away from Berkshire, it would be difficult to see Savage not starting regularly between now and the end of the season if he stays.

And considering how well he's playing at the moment, with his defensive work proving to be crucial as well as his attacking contributions, he's virtually undroppable at this stage, regardless of who is and isn't available.

He isn't guaranteed regular starts at a second-tier club, especially during the early stages of his time there when he will need time to adapt to a higher level.

As well as this, he suits Noel Hunt's system well, so it would be a real shame for both him and the club if he left now.