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Liam Manning has big plans for Norwich City next season, and he is working quickly to get new faces through the door at Carrow Road.
The Canaries will not be bullied by others chasing Borja Sainz, after the Spaniard finished as the club’s top scorer in 2024/25, while Roma monitor Josh Sargent.
With attacking players needed, Norwich will be ready for the transfer window to open up once again on June 16. Yet, their interest in one target is continuing, despite him not being an attacker.
Manning is keen on a reunion with Darling, with the centre-back having an excellent relationship with the Canaries boss after they worked together at MK Dons previously. However, the deal may not be as straightforward as the Championship outfit would like.
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Harry Darling is in no rush to decide on his next club as Norwich City pursue
After a mid-table finish last season, Norwich will be hoping that a strong transfer budget will allow them to push for the play-offs and adding Darling to the defensive set-up will help.
However, Chief Football Correspondent, Graeme Bailey, has exclusively told EFL Analysis that it may take longer than hoped to bring the 25-year-old to Norfolk.
He said: “On Harry Darling, there is much interest from Rangers. They’re in the mix definitely. I don’t think it’s a done deal, but obviously Russell Martin has that relationship with him.
“I don’t think the player has decided yet, but it’s obviously a very intriguing prospect joining the Russell Martin revolution at Ibrox. There’s probably not an awful lot between the offers on the table from Norwich and Rangers.”
Bailey continued: “We know Birmingham and Wrexham have had a look at him, as did Stoke, and he’s got a lot of options on the table. He’s a very popular player. From what I’m hearing, Norwich think they are the favourites in England at this point, and it’s just a case of how much the Rangers and Martin situation has muddied the waters.
“Swansea still held out a little hope of keeping him, but that looks unlikely now.”
Liam Manning will not panic over Harry Darling’s decision to wait
While the threat of Rangers will be strong, especially as they are set to compete in the Europa League next season, patience will be the game for Manning.
Norwich have already added Jacob Wright to their ranks this summer, while Daniel Grimshaw made his way to Carrow Road soon after and it is clear to see that they are wanting to get their business done quickly.
But, with Darling set to become a free agent after June 30, they know that there is plenty of time for the centre-back to make a decision as to where his next step is. The Canaries will be more than open to his services, and others in England may struggle to compete against Manning’s pull.