Barry Bannan is expected to feature in Sheffield Wednesday’s trip to Bristol City this weekend, The Star understands.
Amid big decisions to be made over his future, the Owls legend appeared to be emotional and spent time saluting all four stands at Hillsborough when leaving the pitch late on in his side’s midweek defeat to Birmingham City on Tuesday evening. It was a moment interpreted by many to be a potential goodbye amid widespread interest in the January transfer window.
But at the time of writing the Scot, who is surely among the most notable figures in the history of the club and has carried the club on his back in periods of his 476-game career at S6, is expected to add another appearance to that list at Ashton Gate.
The Star is of the understanding that Championship rivals Millwall have provided the strongest case to move on and that talk of an 18-month contract is there. Bannan, who took a sizeable wage cut to remain at crisis-stricken S6 last summer in a formative moment that persuaded other players to stay on, has repeatedly spoken of his desire to finish his career with the club.
But with little clarity available on what the future holds at Hillsborough, the 36-year-old’s career sits in what manager Henrik Pedersen has described as a ‘difficult situation’. That the scale of interest is there in a veteran player showcases his reputation throughout the league, with clubs north of the border also understood to be keen on his signature.
Wednesday are looking to move players on in the transfer window as administrators look to safeguard against any threat of the sales process having to be extended. With Wednesday all but consigned to relegation and with the ongoing situation at S6 weighing heavy on its senior figures, The Star is of the understanding that the prospect of Bannan’s departure would be one of goodwill rather than one wholly driven by finance. Any deal would not be expected to attain a hefty transfer fee, though the club would recoup what are heavily reduced wages.
Speaking to media ahead of the trip to Bristol this weekend, Pedersen said: “I am speaking with Barry every day and we all know that he loves Sheffield Wednesday. I can only say what I say to him, that I hope he will stay. Let’s see what happens at the next stage, but of course I hope he will stay.
“Of course it is difficult. I know he would love to stay, but it is a very difficult situation. I respect every single player in the squad and I have a big, big respect for Barry.”
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