New update emerges around Barry Bannan's exit saga at Sheffield Wednesday | OneFootball

The Wednesday cult hero is expected to feature for Henrik Pedersen's side this weekend

Despite continued talk of a move away from Sheffield Wednesday for Owls captain and modern-day Hillsborough legend, Barry Bannan, the midfielder is expected to feature for Henrik Pedersen's side in their away fixture against Bristol City on Saturday lunchtime.

That is according to the Sheffield Star, with the 36-year-old the subject of transfer interest from some of Wednesday's current Championship rivals, most notably, play-off chasing Millwall, who are under the management of Bannan's compatriot, Alex Neil.

It has been well-documented that the 2025/26 season has been a write-off for the Owls for some time now, largely down to the club's dire financial state in the final weeks and months of Dejphon Chansiri's previously controversial ownership.

Yet despite there being a mass outpouring of strong emotion when the Thai businessman's tenure as owner was ended through the club entering administration on October 24th, Wednesday supporters have had very little to celebrate since then, with the situation in the Hillsborough boardroom still not resolved as we near the end of the current winter transfer window.

As such, Pedersen has only been able to source the loan additions of Murphy Cooper and Jaden Heskey from Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City since the turn of 2026, with both deals exclusively revealed by Football League World.

Whilst talk of a takeover by former professional poker player, James Bord, continues to rumble on, Wednesday broke an unwanted on-pitch club record in their 2-0 defeat to Birmingham City at Hillsborough on Tuesday, as they have now gone 21 matches without victory and remain on minus seven points with 19 games remaining.

Indeed, Bannan's actions as he was replaced by Jarvis Thornton in the final minute of normal time in S6 only added to the aforementioned speculation of a transfer move.

However, whilst it remains to be seen if the former Crystal Palace man stays with the Owls or departs between now and February 2nd, such circumstances will reportedly not be panning out ahead of this weekend's fixture at Ashton Gate.

Sheffield Wednesday offered short-term Barry Bannan boost amid Millwall transfer speculation

With Wednesday still in a sorry state of affairs both on and off the pitch, the final straw for many of their supporters would be to lose the services of Bannan, who has stayed loyal to the Steel City outfit ever since arriving from Selhurst Park on a free transfer in the summer of 2015 under Carlos Carvalhal.

The 27-time former Tartan Army international has just about seen it all in his near 11-year stint at Hillsborough, which includes two failed Championship play-off campaigns, relegation to and promotion from League One, a 'great escape' act under Danny Rohl and three overall points deductions, with a combined 18-point deficit this term effectively rubber-stamping a second relegation to the third tier during said timeframe with approximately half of the season to go.

Despite being out-of-contract at the end of last season, Bannan opted to not be a part of the mass exodus of senior players and management at Hillsborough, instead signing a one-year contract extension on just £7,000 per week, despite being offered a far greater sum of wages by both the Lions and Middlesbrough as they looked to strike a cut-price deal for the veteran midfielder.

Although Pedersen has rested the Airdrie-born man on a handful of occasions, Bannan has still been a constant presence in the Dane's midfield, featuring in 29 outings across the campaign thus far in all competitions.

He has also been a key source of goals within Pedersen's threadbare squad, scoring three times and posting as many assists, before it was reported that he had, once again, become the subject of transfer interest.

Millwall are the club which Bannan is currently heavily linked with the most, whilst reports have also referenced interest from Stoke City, Preston North End and Scottish Premiership side, Motherwell.

However, whilst the Owls' captain's future is still uncertain, he is expected to register his 477th appearance in blue and white as they face Gerhard Struber's play-off chasing Robins in the West Country this weekend.

Henrik Pedersen weighs in on uncertain Barry Bannan, Sheffield Wednesday situation

Unsurprisingly, the aforementioned speculation has dominated discourse amongst those of a Wednesday persuasion, with Pedersen weighing in on the saga in his pre-match press conference.

"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," the Owls boss said.

"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."

It remains to be seen what happens between now and the deadline, but there are no two ways about it that a parting of ways between Wednesday and Bannan would be extremely tough for all involved.