Norwich City and Liam Manning set for significant transfer breakthrough ahead of Birmingham City, Rangers and more | OneFootball

Norwich City are expected to beat the likes of Rangers, Birmingham City and Sheffield United to the signing of Harry Darling.

Norwich City have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Harry Darling, with the defender set to leave Swansea City later this month when his contract expires.

The 25-year-old has spent the past three years with the Swans, but, despite their best efforts to keep Darling, he is poised to be a free agent in a matter of weeks.

Therefore, the ball-playing centre-back is an attractive option to clubs, and the likes of Rangers, Birmingham City, Wrexham, Sheffield United and Stoke City have all been linked with the defender.

Norwich City expected to win transfer race for Harry Darling

However, in a fresh update, it has been reported that Norwich are now in pole position to sign Darling, even if there is work to do before the move is finalised.

Providing this does go through, it will see Darling link up with Liam Manning at Carrow Road, with the centre-back having previously played for the new Canaries chief whilst at MK Dons earlier in his career.

That form under Manning in the 2021/22 campaign helped Darling earn his move to the Swans.

Harry Darling joining would be a major statement of intent by Norwich City

This is a huge summer for Norwich as they reshape the squad following their disappointing season last time out where they failed to sustain a push for the play-offs.

As well as the change in manager, they are likely to lose Borja Sainz and Josh Sargent this summer, so there are some huge decisions looming for the hierarchy.

Those likely sales will at least give Manning a decent budget to work with, and whilst Darling is a free transfer, it is an ambitious move to bring him in, as he will no doubt be demanding a decent salary.

You only have to look at the clubs who were chasing Darling to see that, particularly Rangers, who could offer European football, and the centre-back also worked with Russell Martin in the past.

So, Norwich have done very well to sell the project to the player, and Darling will be integral to the way that Manning wants the side to play moving forward, due to his ability to start attacks from the back with his composure and passing range.

It will be a fantastic start to Manning’s era at Norwich, and it would signal an exciting start to a massive period for the club.