Latest: Rivals to win race for midfielder linked with Portsmouth, Cardiff City, Swansea City & Co as promotion chasers line up £1m striker

Royals’ proper Charlie

Reading are set to win the chase for Charlie Savage’s signature, according to reports.

Pompey’s League One rivals are in the box seat to land the Manchester United midfielder on a permanent deal this summer.

The 20-year-old has been linked with a move to the Blues along with the likes of Swansea, Cardiff, Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan.

But Football Insider say it’s the Royals who will land Savage, after they had their EFL transfer embargo lifted last week.

That has seen Pompey’s rivals move quickly in the transfer market to complete the signings of Harvey Knibbs and Sam Smith.

Now Savage could be the next in line to move to Berkshire, as Reading start to reshape their squad after former Southampton boss Ruben Selles’ appointment.

Reading are also reported to be keen to hi-jack QPR’s move for Lewis Wing, who is a former Pompey target and scored a spectacular goal at Fratton Park on the final day of the season.

Tykes go to the Max

Barnsley are close to sealing a move for Cardiff striker Max Watters, according to reports.

The front man, who spent the second half of the season at Oakwell, is now set to join the Tykes for the new season.

Watters, who moved to Wales from Crawley for £1m in 2021 after bagging 16 goals in three months, failed to enjoy success for the Bluebirds with just one goal in 22 appearances.

Now, according to journalist Darren Witcoop, he is going back to the Yorkshire outfit where he bagged four goals in 19 appearances last term.

Zac’s hot to Trot

Bolton have completed a loan deal for West Brom’s Zac Ashworth.

The left-back becomes the Trotters’ sixth summer signing on a season-long move, with a view to a permanent agreement.

Bolton boss Ian Evatt is delighted with his latest piece of business.

He told the club’s official site: ‘We are working hard to strengthen the squad and Zac is another excellent addition.

‘He is a quality, young player who has played in the Championship and last season gained valuable experience in League One as an important part of Burton’s team.

‘He is here initially on loan but that could become permanent which would keep him with us long-term and give us another talented young player I’m looking forward to working with.’