Exclusive:'A big chance' - Barry Bannan reveals his stance on possible Sheffield Wednesday return
Barry Bannan has refused to dismiss the prospect of a return to Sheffield Wednesday amid the understanding a deal is close to being finalised.
Millwall midfielder Barry Bannan has revealed there is ‘a big chance’ he will return to Sheffield Wednesday in this summer’s transfer window.
The Scot left Hillsborough in January to join the promotion-chasing Lions, signing an 18-month deal at The Den. His move to the capital brought his ten-and-a-half-year association with Wednesday to an end, marking the end of a richly successful era.
Bannan made 477 appearances for Wednesday, putting him sixth on the club’s all-time appearance list, meaning he established himself as a modern-day club legend at Hillsborough. The Scot was unable to control his emotions after making his final appearance for the club against Bristol City at Ashton Gate, breaking down in tears in front of the away end.
However, The Star understands it might not be long before the 36-year-old is back at Hillsborough amid Wednesday’s quest to re-sign him. It is believed there is a chance a deal could be concluded this week, following recent progress that has been made.
Although Bannan stopped short of offering a concrete guarantee that he will be donning blue and white stripes again next season, he refused to dismiss the prospect of a return coming to fruition.
“Yes, I think there is,” Bannan told The Star when asked if there is a chance he will return to Hillsborough this summer. “I think there's a big chance.
“Obviously, I made it clear when I left that I wanted to finish my career at Wednesday, whether it was football, coming back as a coach, or somewhere along the line. So, I don't think that will ever leave.”
Bannan was back in S6 on Sunday, attending the unveiling of a mural at The Park pub, just a stone’s throw from Hillsborough. Hundreds of Owls fans attended the event to witness the unveiling of the mural and to catch a glimpse of the Scot.
Bannan’s wife, Chloe, had played a key role in planning the mural, meaning Bannan did not know what to fully expect when he arrived at The Park.
He continued: “As you have seen today, I have come here just to open up a mural for me, and you've got the fans. When I was driving in, I didn't obviously know what to expect because my wife didn't tell me anything.
“So I was saying to her: ‘Is it closed off? Is it closed to the public?’ She was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's closed.’ Then I came in and there were loads of fans here. It was an amazing feeling.
“So, this club and I will always have something. But as it stands at the minute, I've still got another year at Millwall. I have enjoyed my time there.”