Swans eye defenders as Norwich Darling chase

Swansea City have lined up potential replacements for Harry Darling with Norwich City emerging as contenders to sign the out-of-contract defender.

A number of Championship clubs are believed to have expressed an interest in centre-back Darling this summer, including Birmingham City, Wrexham and Sheffield United.

But it could be that Norwich win the race for the 25-year-old's signature following this week's appointment of Liam Manning as head coach.

A move to Norwich would see Darling reunite with Manning, who he worked with at MK Dons, while the Cambridge-born player would also be moving closer to home.

Darling still has the option of g the new deal on offer at Swansea.

But amid the uncertainty over the player's plans, director of football Richard Montague says the Welsh club are also considering alternative defensive options.

"The ball is very much in Harry's court," Montague said.

"We made him what we thought was a very strong offer and I believe what he would think is a very strong offer.

"We are, and have been throughout the whole period, looking at our other options in that position to make sure we are well covered.

"Our job really has been to balance off the chances of Harry g a contract with other players, trying to match up those timelines to make sure we are not caught short. I don't think we are going to be caught short is what I would say."

Darling has made 112 appearances, scoring 12 goals, since ing Swansea from MK Dons in 2022.

The 2024-25 season was his most consistent in Wales, with Swansea – belatedly in the eyes of then boss Luke Williams - opening contract talks in the autumn.

The Swans made an improved offer to Darling in the final stages of the 2024-25 season, but Montague says he "wouldn't say with any confidence" where the player will be come pre-season.

"If Harry Darling chooses to leave, he is an exceptional Championship defender, but we need to be able to back ourselves to find alternative options in that position," Montague added.

"I would like to think regardless of the outcome there, we can finish as a stronger unit than when we went into the window."

Swansea are to bolster their defensive options with the g of Ricardo Santos, the former Bolton Wanderers captain who is a free agent after being released by the League One club at the end of last season.

Montague says Santos, 29, is a player who has long been ired by a number of Swansea's decision-makers.

"His data over the years has been very strong," he said.

"I think it's fair to say he didn't have the best year last year, but our job is to try to look beyond that and ascertain where there might be value for money in bringing a player in.

"Rico is being brought in as a player who adds some more leadership, having been a captain of his club. He is a brilliant character we have all met and had conversations with.

"We think he is someone who can add really good depth to an area of the pitch where we don't have much depth at all at the moment. We think he will elevate the group by virtue of being who he is, being who he is around the building."

Montague, meanwhile, has dismissed speculation linking Swansea with FC Sion defender Gora Diouf.