How much Millwall will save on Barry Bannan's wages if he returns to Sheffield Wednesday | OneFootball

Using Capology estimates, FLW takes a look at how much money the London outfit may have spare if the Scotsman leaves

Sheffield Wednesday are eyeing a summer reunion with Millwall’s Barry Bannan, and if it does happen, the Lions could be set to save a fair bit in wages.

The 36-year-old Scotsman made an emotional exit from Hillsborough earlier this year after a decade, joining the Lions on an 18-month deal.

But talk of a return to South Yorkshire resurfaced in April when The Wednesday Word revealed that the Owls had held internal discussions about re‑signing their former captain.

Now, journalist Alan Nixon claims that Millwall "won’t stand in the way" of Bannan if the midfielder wants to go back.

As such, FLW takes a look at how much the London outfit could save in wages, using Capology estimates.

How much Barry Bannan earns at Millwall amid Sheffield Wednesday return talk

According to Capology estimates, Bannan is currently earning in the region of £17,500 per week at Millwall, placing him joint fourth in the club's estimated wage rankings alongside centre-back Jake Cooper.

At Sheffield Wednesday, Capology listed the Scotland international on approximately £24,038 per week, where he was the club's highest earner before leaving.

While these figures are estimates rather than confirmed numbers, it does suggest there could be a financial incentive for the Lions to sanction a sale or release, particularly if Bannan himself is keen on a return north.

Additionally, The Wednesday Word also reported that the South Yorkshire outfit will not be subject to a £7,000 weekly wage cap or £7 million seasonal spend next season, which will give them some flexibility in potentially making a deal happen.

So, yes, while the Owls are not believed to have made a final decision yet, it seems a deal could be within reach.

What a Barry Bannan return could mean for Sheffield Wednesday in League One

Wednesday are obviously expected to undergo a huge rebuild under David Storch in the coming months, but bringing back a player with 477 appearances for the club would be seen as a serious statement of intent to go straight back up.

Bannan was the heartbeat of their 22/23 League One side that won promotion back to the Championship via the play-offs, scoring seven goals and providing 13 assists, and every Owls fan will back him to do similar again.

For Millwall, the estimated wage saving would clearly help them to reinvest elsewhere in the squad. Even the likes of Casper De Norre and Femi Azeez weren't earning close to £24,000 per week this past season - Capology lists their weekly wages as £15,000 and £7,000 respectively.

Whether a deal ultimately gets done remains to be seen, but on all the evidence, the stars may well be aligning for one of the more sentimental EFL transfers of the summer window.