Barry Bannan just dropped his biggest Sheffield Wednesday return hint yet | OneFootball

The Scot has dropped several transfer hints in recent days

Sheffield Wednesday are now preparing for the start of a new era under the ownership of Arise Capital Partners, with the 2026/27 season now just a matter of weeks away for Henrik Pedersen and his squad.

Indeed, the Owls are back in League One for the first time in three years after their well-documented relegation from the Championship amid a backdrop of major financial uncertainty, meaning there is still plenty of work to be done between now and mid-August to ensure the Dane has a strong squad at his disposal.

Last season, Pedersen was significantly restricted in the transfer market due to embargoes imposed on the club from the EFL, as well as a lack of original funds from controversial former owner, Dejphon Chansiri, which left him with a threadbare squad.

However, Storch and his new-look hierarchy at Hillsborough will not be restricted when it comes to assisting Pedersen with recruitment despite initial talk of a cap on transfer funds and wages, as well as seeing a further 15-point deduction waived by the EFL.

Plenty of names with differing levels of potential and experience have since been linked with a move to S6 in recent times, but the transfer move everyone associated with Wednesday is, unsurprisingly, talking about is the return of Barry Bannan.

The 36-year-old's first spell in the Steel City lasted just short of 11 years before moving to Millwall in January, but now it has been widely reported that he is bound to move back to the Owls, and he has dropped yet another transfer hint.

Barry Bannan reveals Sheffield Wednesday's status is no object in new transfer hint

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Ever since Storch's takeover was completed on May 1st, there has been intense speculation as to whether Bannan would return to Wednesday in a playing capacity.

During his previous spell, the Scot made 477 appearances whilst scoring 37 times and posting a further 75 assists, before moving to the Lions earlier in 2026 in emotional circumstances.

Bannan was seen in tears after a 2-0 loss to Bristol City five months ago, which was his last game for the club, before playing 16 times for Alex Neil's side after initially penning an 18-month contract.

However, it has been widely reported that the Championship play-off semi-finalists are willing to part ways just six months into the deal, with the 27-time international dropping a series of hints over an emotional transfer.

After being present at the Park pub in Sheffield to help unveil a mural in his honour last weekend, Bannan revealed that "there's a big chance" he returns to the club, before subsequently telling the Star that he would not be fussed by the prospect of playing in League One.

“Like I said, as it stands at the minute, I'm still in the Championship at Millwall, who just missed out in promotion," he said.

“But this is where I belong, and it doesn’t matter what league they're in," Bannan stated.

“I just didn't get, anywhere in football, the feeling I got when I played here. It doesn't really bother me about leagues, to be honest.”

Barry Bannan would still have a major part to play at Sheffield Wednesday

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During Wednesday's previous two-season stint in League One under Darren Moore, Bannan was still a cut above many of his divisional counterparts, and even at 36 years of age, the midfielder hasn't shown any signs of losing his technical ability, as well as his leadership.

As such, he would certainly have a big role to play under Pedersen, who wouldn't have any second thoughts when it comes to the faith instilled in the Scotsman to help deliver a successful first part of the club's latest rebuild, with Bannan conducting himself so impressively when the Owls squad and behind-the-scenes staff were working unpaid in the early months of last season.

That said, Pedersen isn't just targeting this sentimental transfer to help pack out his midfield, with it being reported that Wednesday are closing in on a free transfer for Motherwell ace, Callum Slattery.