Wrexham ready to smash club transfer record to sign Premier League cult hero's son

Wrexham are ready to break their club record to sign the son of a former Premier League midfielder, it has been reported.

The Red Dragons are yet to announce a new signing since they were promoted to the Championship, despite the first window of the summer - resulting from the Club World Cup - being open.

They have been linked with a host of impending free agents, including West Ham's Aaron Cresswell, Tottenham's Ben Davies and Fulham captain Tom Cairney.

Majority co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have reportedly set aside a budget of £25 million for the summer, according to GiveMeSport, although free transfers can still eat into that figure due to signing-on fees, bonuses and salaries.

The Red Dragons have now been linked with a statement signing from the division below.

According to the Daily Mirror, Wrexham are interested in signing Reading star and Wales international Charlie Savage, the son of former Leicester, Blackburn and Manchester United midfielder Robbie Savage.

It is claimed that the 22-year-old midfielder would command a higher fee than the club-record £2 million sum that Wrexham paid to the Royals to sign striker Sam Smith in January.

Reading are now under less financial pressure to sell after a takeover of the club was completed by American businessman Rob Couhig in January.

Savage scored five goals and provided nine assists last season as Reading came within one point of the League One play-offs under the management of Ruben Selles and then his replacement Noel Hunt.

The midfielder is reportedly being chased by a series of Championship clubs, including Birmingham, Blackburn and Portsmouth, but Wrexham may hold the edge given their pulling power and the fact that Savage plays for the Welsh national team.

He is also a left-footed midfielder, giving him a sure-fire route into manager Phil Parkinson's midfield three as all of Wrexham's other players in that position are right-footed.

It remains to be seen whether a deal for Savage would end interest in Scotland international Cairney, who has been offered a new contract by Fulham.

The 34-year-old made 25 Premier League appearances for Marco Silva's side last season and would represent significant experience in Parkinson's side.

Wrexham are also believed to have added Lewis O'Brien to their list, with the 26-year-old midfielder now back at Nottingham Forest - and seemingly surplus to requirements - after four separate loan spells in the last two years.