Exclusive: Lee Hendrie urges both Birmingham City & Wrexham to go all-out for Swansea City man | OneFootball

Harry Darling is wanted by both Blues and the Red Dragons as he nears the end of his Swans contract

Ex-Premier League footballer and current Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has urged either Birmingham City or Wrexham to sign out-of-contract Swansea City centre-back Harry Darling this summer, amid both sides' reported interest in his services following his impressive form in 2024/25.

Darling joined the Swans from MK Dons in the summer of 2022 on a three-year deal, and he has been a key man at the back for the club under numerous managers over the last two-and-a-half seasons, but now looks set to move on next month when his contract expires.

The 25-year-old is definitely a solid centre-back at Championship level, and he possesses great passing abilities, both short and long-range, as well as a knack for scoring goals.

He is surely set to be of interest to a whole host of second-tier clubs this summer, with both the automatically promoted League One sides, Birmingham and Wrexham, believed to have him on their list of respective transfer targets.

Lee Hendrie issues Harry Darling transfer verdict amid Birmingham and Wrexham interest

Darling struggled for consistent game-time throughout his debut Swansea season under Russell Martin, who had managed him at MK Dons, but still went on to make 32 appearances with four goals scored in his first term.

The Cambridge-born centre-back was a key man under both Michael Duff and Luke Williams in 2023/24, and he stepped up at both ends in numerous big games to help his side over the line and avoid a surprise relegation. They finished the campaign well with three wins in the final five games, and he was linked with a move to Bristol City last summer, but did not leave the Swans.

This season just gone was arguably his most impactful yet, as he was a near ever-present in the Championship under Williams and interim boss Alan Sheehan. He made 39 league appearances and registered five goals and three assists throughout the campaign, but now looks to be nearing the end of his time at the Swansea.com Stadium as his contract expires in June.

Birmingham were first linked with a move for Darling in the January window, and it seems they have reignited their interest in him this summer, with journalist Alan Nixon reporting that the League One champions are keen to sign him on a free transfer soon.

Blues reportedly hope to offer "top terms" to the 25-year-old to convince him to join their project, but fellow Championship new-boys Wrexham are said to be planning to match them financially, and it is likely to come down to Darling's personal choice, with both clubs interested.

Former professional player and current EFL pundit Lee Hendrie has sung Darling's praises for his impressive performances at Swansea, and he has backed either one of Birmingham or Wrexham to make a move for the centre back this summer as he nears a South Wales exit.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie said: “Birmingham and Wrexham are eyeing a move for Harry Darling from Swansea, who I think has been very, very good in a Swansea shirt.

“Swansea have had a real tough time over a few seasons, but he has been one of their shining lights, really.

“To be quite honest, he could fit in either of those teams, Birmingham or Wrexham. Obviously they are two teams that are going to be striving to be around the play-offs and a promotion push.

“He would be a great addition for both teams, I would feel, due to his physical presence and him having Championship experience.”

Swansea have offered Darling fresh terms - he looks set to move to a more ambitious club

Darling has been a regular for the Swans over the last few years, and while he looks set to depart the club for free soon, it is clear to see that they have tried their utmost to keep hold of him beyond next month.

WalesOnline reported in January that they were set to shelve any talks until the summer so he could focus on his football from then until May. That same report also claimed that the club had been trying to persuade him to put pen to paper on a long-term extension, but to no avail.

The most recent update on his future at the club came straight from the source, as Swansea's director of football Richard Montague revealed earlier this month that they had offered him a new, improved deal to convince him to continue his footballing journey in South Wales.

"We've made another offer to Harry. We believe it's a strong offer. Harry's in a privileged position where there's an opportunity now to have a look around and really decide what's best for him and his family," he told WalesOnline.

"But we believe we've put our best foot forward. Alan and I had him in the office for about an hour earlier trying to persuade him as to why Swansea is the right place for him to continue his career. We really believe it is.

"We're hopeful of a positive outcome, but we recognise there are a lot of clubs that can offer a lot of things, and Harry needs to do what's right for him and his family. We're doing everything we can to make it a positive outcome for us."

It is currently anyone's guess as to what Darling will decide on this summer, but the saga around his contract is surely set to reach a conclusion soon, with those aforementioned interested clubs likely to grow impatient and potentially move on to new targets.

Whatever happens, the club he is at next season will no doubt be pleased to have him in their ranks, as he is a top second-tier centre-back who has the potential to play at a higher level soon, and could help said club to achieve success in the near future.