Sheffield Wednesday takeover news: David Storch message, CEO decision, Barry Bannan return? | OneFootball

All the latest news surrounding the takeover situation at Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday are awaiting ratification of David Storch’s bid to buy the club after his group was named as the preferred bidder in March.

The Owls have been in administration since October following significant financial mismanagement under the previous owner Dejphon Chansiri.

The Thai businessman is a wildly unpopular figure among supporters at Hillsborough, who are now hoping to see a new dawn under Arise Capital.

Administrators Begbies Traynor agreed a deal last month, but a final decision is needed from the EFL before the takeover can be finalised.

In the meantime, Henrik Pedersen’s side are on the cusp of finishing the Championship season, with just a handful of games remaining before life in League One begins.

Here we take a look at all the latest news surrounding the takeover situation at Sheffield Wednesday.

Arise Capital working on CEO appointment decision

It has been reported by Alan Nixon that Arise Capital have already begun work on finding a new CEO for the club.

Storch is planning to be hands-on with his approach to owning the Owls, but the hunt is underway for someone with greater experience to lead the Yorkshire outfit in this new era.

Storch has never owned a football team before, so bringing in someone with that background could prove important to making a strong start to life in charge.

Sheffield Wednesday will be targeting promotion back to the Championship as quickly as possible, so an expertise in football will be important in building a capable first team squad.

Sheffield Wednesday start recruitment plans

Alan Nixon has also reported about the status of head of recruitment Kevin Beadell, who is set to stay at Hillsborough under the new owners.

It was expected that he would depart under the previous preferred bidder, James Bord, but he will now lead the rebuilding of the first team squad.

Sheffield Wednesday have been under significant transfer restrictions in the last year, with several key players also departing in both the summer and the January markets.

The club will be hoping to get started on their transfer plans for this summer as quickly as possible, but they still face possible EFL restrictions even with the change in ownership.

Henrik Pedersen opens up on possible Barry Bannan return

The change in ownership could open the door for a sensational return for Barry Bannan, who departed for Millwall in the January transfer window.

The midfielder spent a decade with the Owls, but was sold in the winter market amid a need to raise funds.

Pedersen has reiterated that Bannan is beloved at Hillsborough, but has claimed that it is far too early to suggest he could return to the club.

He revealed that work is being done in the background on potential signings, but that he wouldn’t name anyone specifically just yet.

“Barry is a legend here and I love Barry,” said Pedersen, via The Star.

“But it is way too early for us to speak about this now.

“Now we are waiting for the takeover.

“We are working in the background to analyse the market and make a plan for this, but to speak about specific players, it is too early.”

David Storch's Sheffield Wednesday hope

Storch has issued a message to Sheffield Wednesday supporters, indicating his hopes for the club for next season ahead of ratification from the EFL.

The American has claimed that a lot of hard work is being done to ensure the takeover is completed, but that there is a lot that needs to be done in a short period of time.

"Everyone around me knows we are working it very hard," wrote Storch, via his X account.

"It’s a lot to do in a short period of time but we are putting pressure on ourselves and the other side so we can get in and make a positive impact on the upcoming ‘26-27."