"It’s crazy" - Carlton Palmer reacts to Harry Darling news involving Sheffield United and Swansea City | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has criticised Swansea City amid speculation over Harry Darling's future

Carlton Palmer believes that Swansea City have handled the situation surrounding Harry Darling very poorly amid interest from Sheffield United.

According to The Star, the Blades are weighing up a move for the centre-back this January.

The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the campaign, and the Swans are at risk of losing him for nothing in the summer unless a new deal can be agreed.

But the interest from Sheffield United will complicate the situation, and could even open the door for a move before the 3 February deadline.

Palmer criticises Swansea’s handling of Darling

Palmer believes that Swansea have put themselves in a terrible position with Darling, and that they never should’ve been at risk of losing him for nothing.

He believes the centre-back has had a great season, and would be a smart addition to Chris Wilder’s side amid their push for promotion to the Premier League.

“How Swansea City have allowed this situation to happen with their centre-back Harry Darling, contract set to expire this summer that’s prompted Sheffield United and Chris Wilder to be interested in the centre-back, it’s crazy how the club have let such an influential player run down his contract,” Palmer told Football League World.

“He’s been absolutely fantastic for Swansea this season, he’s played every minute of Championship football prior to the 5-1 thumping at Norwich City.

“He’s a vital player to Luke Williams’ side, but it becomes very difficult now.

“Sheffield United up there on the verge of probably getting back to the Premier League, they’re looking to replace Harry Souttar and offering the 25-year-old potentially a route back to the Premier League.

“There will be competition for his signature, apparently Birmingham are interested as well, but I can’t see him wanting to drop down to League One.”

Palmer issues Darling transfer fee prediction

Palmer believes that any deal involving Darling will cost between £4 and 5 million, and that Swansea have to do everything they can to avoid losing him for nothing in the summer.

“But with Swansea, they would only have two senior centre-defenders available to them, and with the transfer deadline so close, it would be hard to get a replacement,” he continued.

“But the problem is he’s out of contract, so the only way is if he refuses to sign a new contract, and they can’t agree terms — and I can’t believe he’ll sign — they’ll have to let him go, which is crazy for Swansea.

“With the players leaving the football club, it puts them in a really tricky situation.

“Valuation being floated about is £10 million and so forth, they’re not going to get anywhere near £10 million for him because his contract’s run down.

“Sheffield United are not stupid.

“Although they want to bring in a replacement, they’re not going to pay £10 million for the player, so Swansea have got to get their act together.

“Either give him a new contract, and they’ll have to pay over the odds to get him to stay because they need to preserve their Championship status and the 25-year-old will be critical to that right now.

“Or they’re going to have to say ‘that’s it,’ and get a replacement in, but it’s late in the window, and get as much money as they can.

“I think maybe they’ll be lucky to get between £4 and 5 million for him now.

“But if he’s not going to sign a new contract, they can’t just sit there and let him go on a free at the end of the season.”

Darling sale would hurt Luke Williams’ position

Williams is under pressure at Swansea to deliver results, particularly after the 5-1 loss at the weekend.

The Welsh outfit have slipped to 17th in the table, and are only seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Losing someone of Darling’s quality for a cut-rate price this January would be a massive blow, and could put them at further risk of dropping down the table even more.