What Henrik Pedersen has said about potential Sheffield Wednesday return for Barry Bannan
Sheffield Wednesday are discussing the prospect of re-signing club legend Barry Bannan in this summer’s transfer window.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen has already hinted he would be open to Barry Bannan returning to Hillsborough in this summer’s transfer window.
As reported by The Star on Thursday, some level of formal discussions have taken place about the prospect of the Scot returning to S6 from Millwall ahead of the 2026/27 season. Bannan, who spent more than ten years at Hillsborough, joined Millwall in the January transfer window, signing a one-and-a-half-year contract.
He made 16 appearances for the Lions between his arrival and the end of the season as they narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League. They missed out on automatic promotion by a point before being edged out by Hull City at the semi-final stage of the play-offs.
Millwall are understood to be open to letting him leave The Den this summer, meaning a fairytale return to Hillsborough could be on the cards. Bannan, on several occasions throughout his Wednesday career, made no secret of his desire to retire in S6.
A massive summer’s worth of recruitment is required at Hillsborough over the coming weeks, with fresh blood needed in just about every department. The Owls’ midfield ranks, however, look particularly sparse following the departures of Nathaniel Chalobah, Marvelous Nakamba, Rio Shipston and loanee Jaden Heskey.
Pedersen was visibly emotional when Bannan left Hillsborough earlier this year, clearly mindful of his quality and the influence he had on the dressing room. Unsurprisingly, when he was quizzed about the prospect of the Scot returning to the club before the end of the season, Pedersen refused to rule out the idea.
“I have big, big respect for Barry and all that he has done for this club,” said Pedersen, speaking in April. “For me, to have Barry as a part is always good, but again, it is too early.”
The Dane added: “Barry is a legend here and I love Barry. But it is way too early for us to speak about this now.”
With incoming sporting director Simon Wilson’s appointment expected to be confirmed imminently, Wednesday’s plans for this summer’s recruitment drive are expected to start ramping up. The transfer window will officially open for business on Monday and it is not unrealistic to suggest the Owls could need around 15 new signings this summer.
Pedersen is short on senior players at this current juncture, meaning recruiting a player of Bannan’s experience would no doubt delight the Dane. Bannan left Hillsborough having made 477 appearances for the Owls.