New Norwich City manager Liam Manning has openly expressed his interest in reuniting with free agent Harry Darling, setting the stage for a transfer battle with several clubs, including Stoke City.
Manning, who previously worked with centre-back Darling during their time together at MK Dons, has now gone public with his admiration for the 24-year-old defender, who is attracting significant attention as one of the Championship’s most sought-after free agents this summer.
While Darling’s current club, Swansea City, have offered him a contract they consider very competitive, the player is expected to receive multiple offers. Stoke City are among those interested, while Birmingham City, Wrexham, and Sheffield United have also been linked. Rangers, who recently appointed Russell Martin—another former manager of Darling—are believed to be serious contenders for his signature.
In his introductory press conference at Norwich, Manning commented on his transfer targets, saying:
“I don’t want to pin down an exact number, but we’ve reviewed the squad and identified the positions we’re aiming to strengthen. I had a great relationship with Harry a few years ago, and while I’m sure he’ll have a range of offers, I believe he’d be a great fit for what we’re building here.”
Darling has been a consistent figure in Swansea’s back line over the past three seasons.
Swansea’s director of football, Richard Montague, recently weighed in on the situation:
“The decision is now entirely in Harry’s hands. We’ve put forward what we believe is a very strong offer, and we think he would agree with that assessment.
In the meantime, we’ve been actively exploring other defensive options to ensure we’re not left vulnerable. We’re confident that we’re well covered and won’t be caught off guard.”
Stoke City have already begun reshaping their squad for the new season, starting with the signing of winger Sorba Thomas from Huddersfield Town. Their need for defensive reinforcements is urgent, with two centre-backs departing: Ashley Phillips has returned to Tottenham Hotspur following his loan, and Michael Rose has been released.
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