Former EFL defender Curtis Davies believes Charlie Savage could secure a more desirable move away from Reading by allowing his contract to run down, as uncertainty continues to surround the midfielder’s future at the club.
Savage is entering the final year of his Reading contract and has been the subject of transfer interest this summer, with the Royals facing a decision over whether to cash in on the 23-year-old now or risk losing him for nothing next summer.
For Davies, however, allowing his deal to expire could ultimately give Savage greater control over his next move and open up a wider market.
“I don’t think Charlie Savage needs to pigeonhole himself to just Welsh teams if he moves on, to be honest,” Davies said, speaking to Betano Online Casino.
“If you limit your market, there are only three of them he can go to. He has great ability and he’s 23 now, so he’s no longer a kid.”
Savage has been linked with clubs in Wales, including Cardiff City and Wrexham, but Davies believes the midfielder should not restrict himself to those options.
Cardiff could represent a realistic destination, according to the former Premier League and EFL defender, particularly after their promotion from League One.
“With Cardiff having just been promoted from League One, they would have seen him at close quarters, so that could be a good move for Savage,” Davies said.
However, Davies is less convinced that Savage is ready to immediately make an impact at Wrexham, given the heights the club are attempting to reach.
The bigger consideration for Savage could be his international ambitions.
The Reading midfielder has not played for Wales since 2024, and Davies believes breaking back into Craig Bellamy’s squad could be one of the major targets influencing his next career decision.
“I imagine a major goal for him this season, though I don’t know him personally, will be to break back into that squad and showcase his talent,” he said.
That could make the coming season particularly important for Savage, regardless of whether he remains at the Select Car Leasing Stadium beyond the summer transfer window.
Reading would presumably prefer to receive a fee for the midfielder rather than see him walk away for nothing, but Davies believes Savage could actually strengthen his position by doing exactly that.
“He has a year left on his deal, which means he’ll likely either move relatively cheaply to a Championship club or leave on a free at the end of the year,” Davies explained.
“Becoming a free agent at 24 might open up his market and lead to a more desirable move.”
Savage has already attracted interest from higher up the EFL pyramid during his time at Reading. Oxford United were reported to have had a £500,000 bid rejected for him earlier in 2026, highlighting the interest in a midfielder who has established himself as an important player for the Royals.
The current uncertainty comes as Reading look to begin a new League One campaign under Leam Richardson. Savage featured from the bench in Saturday’s dramatic 4-3 defeat to Luton Town, coming on in the 79th minute for Kyreece Lisbie.
The appearance also adds another layer to the questions over Savage’s position at Reading. With his contract situation unresolved and transfer interest continuing, his role under Richardson will be closely watched if he remains at the club.
Davies, though, believes the ultimate decision should rest with Savage and his family.
“Ultimately, it’s down to Charlie and the discussions he has with his dad, who is an experienced footballer himself,” he said.
“He has great talent and it’s just a matter of how high his ceiling can be.”
