Transfer gossip: Portsmouth in four-team battle for £2m-rated midfielder with ‘bags of talent’.

The Blues are frequently linked with signing the highly regarded Wales international during the transfer window.

Pompey are reportedly interested in signing the 22-year-old son of former Wales and Blackburn midfielder Robbie Savage, according to Football Insider (exclusive).

According to the most recent reports, John Mousinho and sporting director Rich Hughes are in a four-way battle for his signature, with Championship newcomers Birmingham and Wrexham, as well as Blackburn Rovers, planning to include the Reading man in their squads for next season.

His services will not be cheap, however, with Reading reportedly valuing the player at £2 million after his impact at the Select Car Leasing Stadium over the last two seasons.

Pompey target Charlie Savage’s impressive career at Reading.

Savage, a Manchester United youth product, has been with the Royals since summer 2023.

Pompey were linked with emerging talent back then, along with Cardiff, Swansea, and Sheffield Wednesday. However, Reading won the race for his signature, and the midfielder signed a four-year contract with the League One club.

At the time of his signing, Reading’s then-head of football operations, Mark Bowen, described Savage as having ‘bags of talent’ and a strong desire to make an impact in senior football.

And he was eventually proven correct, as the youngster made 96 appearances for the Royals over the last two seasons.

He’s also scored 12 goals and assisted 15 times during that time, proving to be a natural fit for senior football.

Indeed, his 45 league appearances for Noel Hunt’s side last season were only surpassed by defender Tyler Blindon, and his nine assists were the second most recorded in the third tier in 2024-25.

Charlie Savage is a player who fits Pompey’s profile.

Savage’s demonstrated strength and availability over the last two seasons will undoubtedly impress Pompey, whose 2024-25 season was frequently hampered by key personnel injuries.

His goals and assists from midfield make him a standout performer, with his seven engine room strikes last season outperforming Andre Dozzell (2), Freddie Potts (1), Isaac Hayden (0), and Marlon Pack (0) for the Blues.

Pompey are looking for midfield reinforcements this summer, following the return of loanees Potts (West Ham) and Hayden (Newcastle United) to their parent clubs.

Pack’s impact in midfield waned throughout last season, and he is not guaranteed to start there again next season. Meanwhile, Abdoulaye Kamara made only five league substitute appearances as he struggled to adjust to English football after joining from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

The Blues are expected to make at least two signings in that department during the transfer window.

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