How close is Barry Bannan to Sheffield Wednesday return? Update dropped on Millwall deal | OneFootball

Progress is being made between Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall regarding a return for Owls legend Barry Bannan

There isn't a transfer that Sheffield Wednesday fans want more this summer than a return for club legend Barry Bannan.

The 36-year-old spent over a decade at Hillsborough before his exit in January to Millwall amidst uncertainty surrounding Wednesday's administration and the prospective new owners at the time.

Back at the start of the year, former professional poker player James Bord was in exclusivity surrounding a takeover, and Bannan revealed that his departure was due to him not liking the direction that he thought the club was going to be heading.

That takeover fell through, and since then, David Storch and the Arise consortium have gotten their deal done, and they've not shied away from talks surrounding a return for the Scottish midfielder, even holding them weeks before the takeover was announced.

Bannan is still under contract at Millwall for the next season, though, so any move back to Hillsborough will need to be negotiated by both parties, and as pre-season is in its infancy, those talks are starting to progress.

Sheffield Wednesday make progress in Barry Bannan return

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According to an update from the Sheffield Star, Wednesday have made progress in a deal to bring Bannan back to Hillsborough in a move which would excite all parties.

The 36-year-old has spoken about his love for the Owls both in the lead-up to his sad departure last season and in the close season, too, going as far as to say that the South Yorkshire side is "where he belongs" in late June.

Regardless of the division that Sheffield Wednesday finds themselves in, the 36-year-old is keen to spend his twilight years back at Hillsborough. In this case, he'd be returning to League One, three years after he helped the Owls secure promotion from that division at Wembley.

Millwall have bolstered a midfield that already had Bannan on its fringes this summer, with the arrival of exciting youngster Jenson Metcalfe after a breakout season in League One with Bradford City, so the door seems ajar for the Scotsman to head back.

The Star states that, while there is no set timescale on a move being announced, things are "accelerating," as Wednesday continues what is set to be a hectic summer filled with exciting new arrivals to help bolster the threadbare squad ravaged by financial mismanagement and administration.

Four names are already through the door in the early stages of the window. Leeds United frontman Harry Gray looks to be the fifth on loan, and Bannan, 19 years his senior, may not be long after him.

Sheffield Wednesday fans counting down the days until Barry Bannan returns

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With the mutual desire from the new owners at Sheffield Wednesday and the man himself to see Bannan back at Hillsborough, it only seems a matter of time before the 36-year-old fan favourite is back in an Owls shirt.

In the comments in response to Alex Miller posting the Star article on his X account, numerous Wednesday fans were speculating that a deal had really already been done, as many fans who claim they're in the know do.

"How dare you give us such terrific news on a Friday," another fan said. Evidently, they can't wait to see him back at Hillsborough.

Sheffield Wednesday may be going through a rebuild and entering a new era in 2026/27, but the presence of Bannan as a veteran in the engine room to help pass on his experience to some of the younger stars will be vital.

Plus, as seen with Ollie Norwood in recent years at Stockport County, midfield maestros who may lack the legs that some of their peers do can still compete at a high level in the third tier, acting as the conductor in a side chasing promotion.

If he can captain the Owls back to the Championship before he retires, his legendary status at the famous club stands to increase even further.