Wrexham AFC should challenge Birmingham City for transfer heading into the Championship | OneFootball

Harry Darling could be the missing piece in Phil Parkinson's backline next season

The top two teams in League One this past season could be in a heated transfer battle for a highly sought-after Championship defender.

Birmingham City and Wrexham AFC built up quite a rivalry in 2024-25, which began with a heated battle at St Andrew's in September when James McClean got into it with some Blues supporters and there was a clash in the latter stages of the match between players, with the FA later fining both sides (BBC).

Both sides have big ambitions to get out of the Championship this season with a big summer transfer window expected from each. Experience and quality at the back are something both sides will covet, and Harry Darling seems to tick all those boxes.

Harry Darling’s ability at both ends is a tremendous asset for any team

Over the past two seasons, Darling has shown an ability to not only be rock-solid defensively but also a threat to find the back of the net on set pieces.

The Swansea City centre-back was third on the team with five goals in the Championship this past campaign, many of which came from free kicks or corners, thanks to his power and towering presence.

The former MK Dons Player of the Year was among Swansea City’s most well-rounded players in the Championship this past season, leading the team in accurate long balls per 90 (3.3) while ranking second in accurate passes per 90 and third in expected goals on target, according to FotMob.

His ability to move the ball out from the back, be it with an accurate pass from the backline or carrying the ball up the pitch, is a skillset that Phil Parkinson could use next season. Darling was extremely efficient on the ball, with 58 touches in the opposition’s box, and 16 chances created, while winning 55 fouls in the Championship last season, per FotMob.

It’s not just his presence in the opposing team’s penalty area that stood out, but the 25-year-old was a staunch defender, winning nearly 200 duels (192) last season in the second tier and almost 100 in the air (97), while he had over 150 recoveries (152) according to FotMob.

Given his age and key contributions at both ends of the pitch, along with his Championship experience, it’s no wonder he has generated strong interest from many clubs.

Harry Darling’s current contract

While his name’s been linked to the likes of Birmingham and Wrexham, Swansea are putting up a fight to try and keep him with the club next season. His current contract expires on June 30, but the BBC reported last month that the Swans have made an advanced offer to extend his stay with the Welsh side.

Richard Montague, the club’s director of football, told the BBC in May: “Alan (Sheehan) and I had him in the office for about an hour earlier trying to persuade him why Swansea is the best place for him to continue his career, and we really believe it is.”

At that time, the BBC reported that Bristol City, Birmingham City, and Sheffield United were interested in Darling.

On May 26, Wales Online listed him as a possible new addition to the Red Dragons. According to Capology, he earned £1 million for the South Welsh side in the Championship last season.

Wrexham should challenge Birmingham City for Harry Darling

Birmingham aren't afraid to throw crazy money around to sign a player they want. Case in point is adding Jay Stansfield last summer for seven years and over £10 million per the BBC. Be that as it may, it shouldn’t discourage Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney from pursuing Darling.

He’s a perfect person to add to this team in central defence; he has a tremendous presence in the air both defensively and in the attacking third and would give Phil Parkinson another dangerous scoring defender alongside Max Cleworth.

While Birmingham have shown they’re not afraid to spend extravagantly, they might not have to outbid the Blues to acquire Darling. While Wrexham’s owners have the money to spend big, their ability to sell players on this club’s story is what has swayed many players to come to North Wales.

Darling said to BBC Sport last September: “Me and my girlfriend had our first baby here, so Swansea is always going to be a special place for us.

“It’s something I don’t really get involved in. I focus on my football and I am sure that will take care of itself - I am football first and we will see what happens.”

Swansea has a special place in his heart, but he surely aspires to play Premier League football soon. Wrexham is only about a three-hour drive from Swansea, which is not a great distance away from his family.

Many players want to join Wrexham right now and be part of this fairytale club. At the same time, Birmingham have Christoph Klarer under contract, alongside fellow centre-back Phil Neumann. It’s entirely possible that he wouldn’t be as big a part of Birmingham’s side given who they have in the backline.

Darling could further enhance his image at Wrexham, playing most of the time while helping the Red Dragons reach the top flight for the first time in the club’s history.

His profile as a defender is something Wrexham needs to compete at this level, and joining the Red Dragons could be a massive benefit to Darling and his family in the long term.