Norwich City has reportedly entered the race to sign Swansea City centre-back Harry Darling, who is set to become a free agent this summer.
The move would offer a reunion for Darling with Norwich’s new manager, Liam Manning, under whom he previously thrived at MK Dons.
Norwich City is making an active start to the summer transfer window under Manning, who recently joined the club from Bristol City. The Canaries have already secured the permanent transfer of Jacob Wright from Manchester City and are reportedly close to signing Daniel Grimshaw. Adding an established Championship defender like Darling would further strengthen their squad as they aim for promotion in the 2025/26 season.
Harry Darling’s contract with Swansea City is set to expire on June 30, 2025, making him a highly sought-after free agent. While Wrexham and Birmingham City were initially reported as contenders for his signature in May, more Championship clubs, including Stoke City and now Norwich, have reportedly joined the pursuit. Despite Swansea offering Darling a new deal, he is widely expected to leave the club.
Norwich City may hold a significant advantage in the race for Darling due to his past working relationship with Liam Manning. During their time together at MK Dons, Darling made 47 appearances under Manning and notably scored 10 goals from his centre-back position. This familiarity could sway Darling’s decision in favor of a move to Carrow Road.
Since joining Swansea from MK Dons in 2022, Darling has established himself as a prominent Championship defender. In the 2024/25 season, he played in 39 games, accumulating 3,337 minutes on the pitch. During this period, he scored 5 goals and provided 3 assists, while contributing to 13 clean sheets for Swansea City. Securing his services on a free transfer would represent a valuable acquisition for Norwich.
