Five signings Liam Manning needs to make at Norwich City, including star who ‘loves working for him’

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Liam Manning has recently arrived as the new manager at Norwich City after taking Bristol City to the Championship play-offs in the 2024/25 campaign.

Norwich City have made their promotion intentions clear to their rivals ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

Liam Manning has taken the Norwich job, after departing Bristol City in the wake of their play-off semi-final defeat to Sheffield United.

In terms of incomings to the playing squad, Manchester City loanee Jacob Wright has become a permanent signing at Carrow Road.

Norwich should be comfortably within PSR limits for the upcoming campaign, and as such, Manning will have room to spend in his first season at Carrow Road.

As the summer transfer window continues, EFL Analysis has outlined five players that Norwich should sign to cement their top-six contention.

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Five signings Liam Manning must make at Norwich City

Harry Darling

EFL Analysis understands that Norwich have entered the race for coveted Championship defender Harry Darling, with his contract set to expire at Swansea City this summer.

With Darling soon to become a Championship free agent, despite being offered a new deal by Swansea, a reunion between Darling and Manning could be on the cards.

During his stint at MK Dons, Darling featured 47 times under Manning and notched ten goals from centre-half, before making his move to the Welsh giants.

Norwich require reinforcements in the heart of defence, and the seasoned second tier defender Darling would fit the bill wonderfully.

Callum Doyle

Callum Doyle spent the 24/25 campaign on loan at the Canaries from Manchester City, and showcased enough qualities to lead Norwich to pursue a permanent move.

Doyle notched seven assists in 40 Championship outings from defence, with his ability in possession and versatility in the backline cementing him as one of the EFL’s best young defenders.

Recently-promoted Sunderland have been told to sign the “incredible” Doyle, where he was part of Alex Neil’s League One promotion-winning squad in 21/22, and the Canaries must beat the Black Cats to his signature.

Scott Twine

As well as reuniting with Darling, another one of Manning’s former players proves an impressive option for Norwich to pursue in the window.

Scott Twine was the crowning jewel in Manning’s MK Dons side, after scoring 20 goals and notching 13 assists in the 21/22 third tier campaign.

Darling’s move could be a warning for Bristol City, and Manning would no doubt also love to reunite with Twine for the third time, and the attacking midfielder’s praise of the head coach this season points to the potential of a move.

Earlier this season, Twine told Sky Sports about Manning: “It’s a trust thing,

“He gives me a certain amount of freedom which I thrive off, that’s my game – where I can drift into spaces. I love working under him.”

With Manning believing Norwich have better resources than Bristol City, a deal for Twine could come to fruition this summer, and see the 25-year-old reunite with the boss he “loves working under” at Carrow Road to spearhead their play-off push.

Emil Riis Jakobsen

Prolific forward Emil Riis Jakobsen has departed Preston North End in the wake of his 12-goal Championship campaign.

Now a free agent, the frontman, who was heavily linked with Sunderland in January, has a host of second tier suitors interested in his striking services.

Jakobsen’s ability coincides with Norwich receiving first bids for Borja Sainz, who finished runner-up in the Championship golden boot race last season, ending the campaign on 18 goals.

Sainz’s prolific nature in front of goal would be difficult to replace, and although the Danish international is not a natural left-winger, he is capable of operating wide as well as centrally, and his proven goal record in the Championship should be of interest to the Canaries.

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Viktor Johansson

Norwich announced that goalkeeper Angus Gunn, who made seven clean sheets in 35 league appearances this season, will depart Carrow Road this summer upon the expiry of his contract.

With their number 1’s departure, Norwich have lined up Gunn’s replacement in Daniel Grimshaw. A fee of £600,000 has reportedly been agreed between Norwich and Plymouth Argyle for his services.

However, Grimshaw’s record at Argyle last season is less than inspiring for Canaries fans, after the 27-year-old conceded 49 goals in just 21 league matches amid Plymouth’s relegation to League One.

If Norwich are serious about a top-six push, then Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson would be an impressive coup.

26-year-old Johansson kept 14 shut-outs in 46 second tier outings for the Potters last term to cement himself as one of the league’s top goalkeepers, and given his quality, should be playing his football for a team higher up the table than Stoke.

With the Swede’s safe hands in goal, it would provide the Canaries a rock-solid defensive foundation to build their play-off place push next season.