Ex-Aston Villa star urges Birmingham City to complete £2m transfer raid for 'excellent' rising star

Birmingham City are gearing up for life back in the Championship this summer. They secured an immediate promotion back from League One this past season. The Midlands outfit won the title at the first time of asking and went up with Wrexham and Charlton Athletic.

The Blues’ decision to bring in Chris Davies as their head coach 12 months ago has turned out to be a masterstroke. They have the chance to sign some new faces over the next couple of months. Some players could also head out the exit door to free up space and funds.

Birmingham City urged to sign Charlie Savage

Birmingham have been linked with a £2million move for Reading midfielder Charlie Savage, according to Football Insider. The Blues are said to be interested in snapping up the third tier ace. Portsmouth, Wrexham and Blackburn Rovers have also been mentioned as potential suitors.

Former Aston Villa player Lee Hendrie believes Davies should try and get him, as per a report by Football League World: “I’ve got to say, I watched Charlie when he was at Forest Green, and I thought he was excellent. He’s got lots of good traits to his game, he works hard, gets himself into good areas, plays on the front foot and he’s very young.

“So, yes, I do think he’d be a really good addition to Birmingham City. I think bringing younger players in who have had to go and have a taste further on down the league, get that strength — which I think he has. When he went to Forest Green, he had to go through that, then obviously is at Reading and played a lot more games, which I think he needed to do.

“He starts to come down with more experience under his belt, so I do think having those times away from when he was at United, he could go and play some football and get himself stronger, and adapting to how the English game is. I think he would be a really good signing for Birmingham, there’s no doubt of that.”

Would Charlie Savage suit Birmingham City?

Savage would give Birmingham City more competition and depth in the middle of the park. He would also give them something different to call upon. At the age of 22, he has a lot of potential and will only get better down the line.

The Wales international, who has two caps under his belt so far, joined Reading back in 2023 and has since been a key player. The Royals are likely to face a battle to keep hold of him. He has made 96 appearances for the Berkshire club in all competitions and has scored 12 goals.

Savage rose up through the academy ranks at Manchester United and was a regular for them at various different youth levels. He went on to play once for the first-team of the Premier League giants. The Leicester-born man was also loaned out away from Old Trafford to Forest Green Rovers as a teenager to get some experience.