Sheffield Wednesday can find Barry Bannan 2.0 by seizing shock Cardiff City situation | OneFootball

Ryan Wintle has become a free agent, months after winning Cardiff City's Player of the Season, and Sheffield Wednesday should be alert to sign him

The number one transfer target on the wishlist of almost every Sheffield Wednesday fan this summer is would-be-returning Barry Bannan.

The Owls legend departed Hillsborough in January for Millwall, amidst uncertainty surrounding Wednesday's ongoing administration and worries about not being in the plans of the prospective new owners.

Since then, the preferred bidder at that time, James Bord, pulled out, and the club were taken over instead by the Arise consortium, led by David Storch, who have hit the ground running since the takeover was announced ahead of the final day win over West Brom.

Perhaps Bannan would have remained at Hillsborough if Storch had been the preferred bidder back in January. That's what some people have speculated, but either way, his return could be likely this summer, with the higher-ups discussing that possibility, and Millwall reportedly not standing in the 36-year-old's way.

It would be an emotional reunion, that's for sure. But if a move for the 36-year-old cannot be made, or if Wednesday wants someone new to complement him in the middle of the park, a move for departing Cardiff City man Ryan Wintle should definitely be explored.

Ryan Wintle is departing Cardiff City this summer — Sheffield Wednesday should pounce

Ryan Wintle's five-year stay at Cardiff is coming to an end this summer, much to the surprise of the Bluebirds fanbase and the squad as a whole. Even the midfielder himself stated that the situation was out of his control.

The 28-year-old rebuilt his credibility in the Welsh capital this season, remaining at Cardiff after the club were relegated, when many felt he'd angle for a move away, especially after spending the 2024/25 campaign at Millwall while his parent club succumbed to the drop.

Wintle has instead been integral to Brian Barry-Murphy's heavy possession-based style that the Bluebirds have adopted in League One this season. He made 40 appearances, starting 38 of them, at the heart of the midfield en route to their immediate bounce-back to the second tier.

He left the club awards night with the fans' Player of the Season and the players' Player of the Season, too, outlining how popular he was with everyone associated with the club. That, therefore, made the club's decision not to renew his contract even more baffling.

But one club's loss is another's gain, and in this case, Sheffield Wednesday can easily outline the style of play they want to adopt in the third tier with Wintle in the engine room.

Per Fotmob, the 28-year-old ranked in the top 3% of defensive midfielders in League One for successive passes per game and pass percentage, alongside placing in the top 10% of players in his position for accurate long balls, touches and recoveries.

Evidently, Wintle is one of the premier conductors in the third tier, and while his goal output lacks that shine that Bannan's may have (only netting once, but still providing seven assists), the control he has on the game mirrors the Owls legend, and having either one, or both of them, in the midfield next season would ensure a calmness and control in possession at Hillsborough next season.

Ryan Wintle excelled in a young Cardiff City squad this season and can replicate that role at Sheffield Wednesday

At 28, you're never expected to be the veteran of a squad, but Wintle was often one of the oldest players on the pitch in a Cardiff shirt last season as the Bluebirds took a more youth-centred approach.

Only Calum Chambers, Perry NG, Callum Robinson and Chris Willock were older than the midfielder in Brian Barry-Murphy's squad last season.

While the Owls do not have a salary cap restriction this summer, permitting them to bring in some seasoned names to help ensure their stay in League One is as short as possible, last season allowed numerous young prospects to come into the limelight at Hillsborough, and Henrik Pedersen may opt to give them more of a chance in the third tier.

The likes of Will Grainger, Earnie Weaver, Reece Johnson and Sean Fusire, just to name four, all have brilliant potential that Wintle can help mentor and act as a veteran head for them, despite only just entering the prime years of his career himself.

If Sheffield Wednesday can orchestrate the return of Bannan, it would be brilliant, but as someone who can replicate a similar role to the Owls' legend if he can't come, or as someone who can take over that role once the 36-year-old retires, Wintle may be one of Wednesday's best bets this summer.