Doubt cast over Norwich City transfer chase for Swansea City star despite Liam Manning advantage | OneFootball

FLW’s Canaries fan pundit weighs on the Harry Darling rumours.

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk‘ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

The race for the signature of Harry Darling is set to be one of the most interesting transfer sagas of the summer, as the 25 year old centre back is expected to leave Swansea City as a free agent.

Multiple Championship clubs - including Norwich City, Birmingham City, Wrexham and Sheffield United - are reportedly interested in securing his services, according to a report by BBC Sport’s Gareth Vincent.

The Swans have tabled their own offer for Darling, described as “very strong” by sporting director Richard Montague, but have themselves confirmed they will not play a waiting game, and will continue to explore options elsewhere.

That includes the confirmed signing of Bolton Wanderers defender Ricardo Santos, who will join the South Wales outfit upon the expiry of his Trotters contract.

Norwich City transfer claim made on Swansea City defender Harry Darling

In light of the East Anglia links, Football League World discussed securing Darling’s signature - and the potential statement of intent it could be - with our Canaries fan pundit, Zeke Downes.

“I really like the look of Harry Darling and seems like a lot of other teams do as well,” Downes told FLW.

“So we’d have a lot of competition from other teams, and that might mean that we would lose out on him.

“But, obviously, we do have a bit of pull and maybe a bit more pull now we’ve got a little bit more money, but we’re not the team we used to be, so it’s hard to tell.

“But, if Birmingham or Wrexham came in and they offered lots of wages - which they probably would - then he may choose to move there.

“So, I would definitely look at getting him in if he obviously wants to choose us, but he may well look elsewhere.”

Norwich City have Liam Manning advantage as they eye defensive boost with Darling reunion

Should Harry Darling opt against renewing his deal at Swansea, a reunion with Liam Manning at Norwich City appears an increasingly likely destination.

The newly appointed head coach worked closely with Darling at MK Dons, and that pre-existing relationship, coupled with Norwich’s geographic proximity to the defender’s Cambridgeshire roots, makes Carrow Road a compelling prospect.

While interest from Wrexham, Birmingham and Sheffield United remains serious, Norwich may yet become one of the Championship’s more upwardly mobile sides in 2024-25.

The club’s ability to spend could grow should they cash in on key assets such as Josh Sargent or Borja Sainz, both of whom have attracted significant interest.

With Manning now steering the ship, there’s a renewed sense of clarity about the Canaries’ footballing identity - something that might appeal to a player seeking the right environment in what should be the prime years of his career.

Darling’s future remains undecided, and Swansea’s improved contract offer keeps the door open in South Wales, but the ball is firmly in the defender’s court.

For Norwich, the chance to land a proven Championship performer in his mid-20s - one who already knows what Liam Manning demands - could prove to be a smart and timely piece of business in a summer that looks set to reshape their backline.