Wrexham have missed out on a key transfer target in Harry Darling, who has instead joined Norwich City on a free transfer from Swansea City.
Harry Darling quickly became hot property this summer after letting his Swansea City contract run down, and Wrexham were one of the many teams interested in signing him on a free transfer.
But on Monday it was revealed that Norwich City were close to signing Darling. Then on Monday night, the Canaries announced that they’d signed the 25-year-old centre-back on a three-year deal, with the option of a further year.
It’s a blow for Wrexham, but it comes after the Dragons announced their first signing of the summer anyway: Wrexham have completed the signing of Ryan Hardie on a £700,000 deal from relegated Plymouth Argyle.
It’s swings and roundabouts in the transfer market and Phil Parkinson’s side are experiencing that already, and as the Championship newcomers, there might be a lot of players unwilling to take the risk on moving to the Racecourse, as nobody knows how Wrexham will fare next season.
Harry Darling keen to reunite with Liam Manning at Norwich City
Darling took some time to assess his options. Swansea City fans weren’t happy with Darling as he did so, and many didn’t want to see him make what would’ve been a controversial move to Wrexham this summer. But when Norwich City hired Liam Manning, it made a move to Carrow Road inevitable for Darling.
The Englishman played under Manning at MK Dons previously. He shone there which led to his move to Swansea City and Darling says the chance to play under Manning once again made the decision to sign for Norwich City an easy one.
Darling told the club: “I’m delighted, it’s been a long time coming after a lot of conversations. I’m happy to finally get it sorted and I’m looking forward to getting started. Liam being in charge, I worked with him before at MK Dons so I didn’t need convincing too much about the style of play. I really enjoyed it last time working with him.”
Harry Darling was the one for Wrexham, Phil Parkinson now has to start again
Of all the centre-backs linked with Wrexham this summer, Darling was the one who really looked like a great potential signing.
He’s at a great age, proven in the Championship and was available on a free transfer, and now Parkinson almost has to start again in his search if he wants to find someone who fits that same mould.
Jonny Evans is linked with Wrexham and so too is Craig Dawson. But both are elder statesmen. Jack Kingdon is a target for Wrexham too, but the released Man United centre-back barely has any first-team experience.
Expect Parkinson to have other names on his radar, but also expect him and everyone behind the scenes at Wrexham to be gutted after missing out on Darling.