Sheffield Wednesday are edging closer to sealing the return of club legend Barry Bannan, according to reports.
The 36-year-old ended a decade-long stay at Hillsborough in January when he made the switch to Championship rivals Millwall. Having penned an 18-month deal at The Den, he helped his new employers reach the play-offs, where they exited at the semi-final stage to eventual winners Hull City.
Meanwhile, his old club finished bottom of the division with zero points and dropped into League One. Despite that, there is a renewed optimism around the iconic Sheffield outfit following the ousting of Dejphon Chansiri and the takeover from Arise Capital Partners.
The Owls head to the third tier as one of the favourites for promotion and look to be making real progress in the transfer market. They have already secured four new arrivals whilst the continue to be linked with a host of names, namely Huddersfield Town striker Joe Taylor.
Bannan Deal ‘Making Progress’
The midfielder was visibly upset in the aftermath of his final appearance for the club against Bristol City in January and news of a potential return to Wednesday for Bannan first emerged in April.
Barry Bannan. Legend. 💙#swfc pic.twitter.com/zl95mXPLDI
— The Football Lowdown (@FBLowdown) January 24, 2026
It now appears as if a deal is edging closer, with The Sheffield Star reporting that talks are ongoing. It is claimed that progress has been made over the past few days whilst the former Scotland international has made it clear that he would love to make the move back north this summer.
Although an agreement between the two parties is not yet in place, it is said that Bannan has not returned for pre-season with Millwall. Furthermore, there are other clubs waiting to swoop should the transfer break down.
Hero’s Welcome Awaits Bannan
It goes without saying that should Bannan return to Hillsborough, he will be met with open arms. He is rightly viewed as one of the greatest players to have pulled on the famous blue and white shirt and it would be fitting for him to lead in the new era.
The former Aston Villa and Crystal Palace man has been the shining light in what has been some of the darkest years in the club’s history. He didn’t get the ending he would have wanted in January, but he now has the opportunity to rewrite the final chapter by guiding Wednesday to League One success.
He departed having made 477 appearances in all competitions. It now looks as if he could be the fifth player to break 500-game barrier after Liam Palmer entered the exclusive club in March.
