Exclusive: Middlesbrough backed to seal Sheffield Wednesday transfer amid "crazy" Owls situation | OneFootball

The 35-year-old has been linked with a move to the Riverside Stadium.

Out-of-contract Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan has been linked with a move to Middlesbrough amid uncertainty over his future at Hillsborough.

The 35-year-old has continued to train with the Owls even though his contract expired at the end of June, but the fact that he has still not signed fresh terms has alerted Middlesbrough and Millwall to his potential availability, as per The Star.

Sheffield Wednesday have already seen players leave this summer due to the club's repeated failure to pay wages on time, and Bannan could follow the likes of Josh Windass and Michael Smith by being forced into jumping ship ahead of the 2025/26 season, even though he is said to be desperate to stay and continue as captain at Hillsborough.

Left-back Max Lowe could become the latest Wednesday player to depart as a result of wages not being paid on time, as he is understood to have handed in his notice to the club.

Of course, Bannan is no longer under contract, but confirmation of his departure would be yet another blow to the Owls, while Championship rivals Middlesbrough could benefit from the situation.

Lee Hendrie feels Bannan could add to Boro's squad

Sky Sports pundit, Lee Hendrie, spoke exclusively to Football League World about Middlesbrough's interest in Bannan, stating that he feels the midfielder could give Rob Edwards something different in the middle of the pitch.

"Yeah, I think this would be a really good move," Hendrie said.

"Listen, Barry Bannan is a unique player to be quite honest, and he has shown his weight in gold for Sheffield Wednesday.

"I mean it would be a massive loss if that was the case, but I think he would be able to add some experience to that Boro squad.

"With all the madness that is going on at Sheffield Wednesday, I think it is probably something that he will be looking at for sure.

"Knowing Barry well, he is a winner, he is a leader, and that is why Boro have obviously looked and felt that what he possesses could certainly give them something in that midfield area.

"It is crazy to think what is going on at Wednesday, but this is the problem - you will lose your big players."

Bannan could be seen as Howson's replacement

If Middlesbrough can complete a deal to sign Bannan from Sheffield Wednesday, he could prove to be an excellent replacement for experienced midfielder Jonny Howson, who left the Riverside Stadium at the end of his contract this summer.

Howson was reportedly not handed a new contract by new Boro head coach Rob Edwards, but if the former Luton boss brings in Bannan, he will no doubt feel as though he has replaced that experience in midfield ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

Middlesbrough currently have no midfielders over the age of 30, so bringing in a player like Bannan, who has racked up more than 370 appearances in the second tier during his career, could be a wise decision.

Boro have also accepted a bid worth up to £20 million for Hayden Hackney, so they may be in real need of reinforcements if he moves to Portman Road just over a week before the start of the new season, making the prospect of signing Bannan on a free transfer look even more logical.