Sheffield Wednesday star ‘monitored’ by Derby County and Stoke City as heartbreaking exit mooted
The 35-year-old has been a stalwart at Hillsborough for the last decade, amassing over 400 appearances and being a crucial cog in the Owls machine.
However, speculation regarding his future has emerged amid continued off-field turbulence in S6.
Wednesday have again had trouble paying players, with pressure on under-fire owner Dejphon Chansiri growing at a rapid pace.
Wrexham were linked with the midfielder earlier this month, but fears were eased somewhat by reports claiming Bannan was keen to stay put.
Barry Bannan eyed by trio
SportsBoom have now claimed Bannan is edging towards the exit door as he grows increasingly disillusioned by the club’s instability.
Derby County have been credited with interest, while Stoke City and Coventry City are also said to be monitoring the veteran’s situation.
He is thought to have agreed a new Owls contract in principle, but it appears he could still depart Hillsborough with the expiry of his current deal fast-approaching.
Sheffield Wednesday in disarray
The loss of such a revered figure would be yet another humiliating blow for a club that has lurched from one disaster to another of late.
Bannan has previously signalled his intention to see out his career at the club, something that would only make his exit harder to take.
Wednesday have been hit by a three-window fee restriction, as well as a registration embargo.
A statement issued by the EFL read: “The EFL can confirm that Sheffield Wednesday Football Club is now subject to a three-window fee restriction after exceeding 30 days of late payments between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025.
“In accordance with EFL regulations, the restriction will cover the entirety of this summer’s window and two full windows thereafter (winter 2026 and summer 2026).
“The club has notified the EFL of its intention to appeal this decision and this will be heard in due course.
“Separately, on 3 June 2025, the EFL issued charges against the club and owner Mr Dejphon Chansiri in respect of non-payment of player wages in March 2025 and May 2025.
“This matter is being considered by an independent disciplinary commission, and because of the ongoing proceedings, the league is unable to comment further at this time.”
Stoke City given 76 names who could help Mark Robins stage Championship revival
Latest Stoke City transfer news from StokeonTrentLive as loans in focus ahead of summer player spree
Stoke City were the go-to club for loan recruits last season. Ashley Phillips, Andrew Moran, Lewis Koumas, Ali Al-Hamadi, Tom Cannon and Josh Wilson-Esbrand all featured for the Potters at different points of the campaign – and with varying levels of success.
Cannon looked to be the striker Stoke have needed for several seasons now, bagging 11 goals before his good form caught to eye of parent club Leicester City and then promotion chasers Sheffield United.
It all ended with Cannon being recalled in January and then sold to the Blades for about £10m. But if Chris Wilder and Co thought they had found the man to fire them into the Premier League, they were sadly mistaken. Cannon was only on target once in 15 games as United lost out in the play-offs to Sunderland.
Phillips, the young Spurs centre-half now being courted by the Blades, was arguably the best of the loan bunch last season. He was was as good as an automatic pick under Mark Robins. However, Wilson-Esbrand, who had worked with Robins at Coventry, was probably the worse.
Of the rest, Moran and Koumas did okay for youngsters still developing their games, while Ipswich striker Al-Hamadi struggled with injuries too much to adequately replace the goals that Cannon had provided.
So what can we expect for the new season? Clubs like Stoke – as in those that are cash rich but hamstrung by EFL spending rules – just cannot afford to ignore loan recruits, even though their success is largely hit and miss.
The key is probably taking just the right number to bolster your squad, but not make it too reliant on players who could be snatched away if they do really well. At the very least, loan clubs risk bringing players on, only to see them walk away for nothing. Cannon and Phillips are two clear examples.
It can work. Burnley were the only club in the Championship to rely as heavily on the loan market as Stoke City last term and are now back in the Premier League, but they are probably the exception who prove the loans rule.
So as Robins and Co plot their transfers for next season, StokeonTrentLive brings you the 76 loans that have now ended and the players who may well be let out on loan again next term…
Goalkeepers
Mark Travers (Middlesbrough from Bournemouth)
James Beadle (Sheffield Wednesday from Brighton)
Defenders
Dion Sanderson (Blackburn from Birmingham)
Owen Beck (Blackburn from Liverpool)
Bashir Humphreys (Burnley from Chelsea)
Nat Phillips (Derby from Liverpool)
Finley Burns (Hull from Man City)
Kal Naismith (Luton from Bristol City)
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