Millwall urged to avoid "slightly strange" move for Sheffield Wednesday star | OneFootball

FLW's Millwall fan pundit has given his verdict on the potential signing of Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Millwall are preparing for another year in the Championship after missing out on the play-offs last season.

Despite a significant upturn in form in the second half of the campaign after Alex Neil replaced Neil Harris in December, Millwall fell just short of the top six, but they will be looking to launch another promotion push in the year ahead after a busy summer of transfer activity.

The Lions have lost some senior players this summer, including the likes of Shaun Hutchinson, Murray Wallace, George Saville, George Honeyman and Duncan Watmore, but they have also brought in a host of new signings, with Max Crocombe, Steven Benda, Zak Sturge, Alfie Doughty, Massimo Luongo and Josh Coburn all arriving at The Den.

There could be further new additions to come before the end of the window as Neil continues to strengthen his squad, and according to The Star, Millwall are interested in Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan, along with fellow promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough.

Bannan has spent the past decade at Hillsborough, but he is yet to sign a new deal amid the club's ongoing off-field issues, which could open the door for other clubs to make a move, although he is still believed to be keen to commit his future to the Owls, and he is currently training with the South Yorkshire outfit despite not being under contract.

Millwall warned against move for Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan

When asked for his thoughts on the potential signing of Bannan, FLW's Millwall fan pundit, Lucas Ball, admitted that the Lions need experience in midfield after the departures of Saville and Honeyman, but he claimed the 35-year-old would not be the right option for the club.

"It feels like a slightly strange one for me," Lucas told FLW.

"I know we need a little bit more experience with the likes of George Saville, George Honeyman and Shaun Hutchinson all moving on this summer. I fully appreciate that, but I don't think Barry Bannan is the answer.

"I don't think he complements the rest of our midfielders too well. He has quality, there's no doubt about that, but I don't think he would offer any more to us than what someone like Casper de Norre does in there.

"If we are signing a midfielder, it should probably be someone who is more capable of driving forward with the ball and creating opportunities in that way. We have been linked to Alfie Devine at Tottenham, and you could see him being the number eight or 10 and picking up the ball and driving forward.

"As good as Bannan is, he probably isn't going to offer you anything defensively, especially at his age. I don't doubt his quality, but he's not one that I would be particularly keen on.

"However, if he does sign, and we were to get another midfielder on top, I'd be happy because he would bring experience in the middle of the park. Overall, it doesn't seem like he wants to leave Sheffield Wednesday either; he's been settled there for a long time.

"He's coming towards the end of his career, does he want to make a big move down to London? I'm not so sure on that side of things either, but it's one to keep an eye on."

Millwall could be set for Barry Bannan disappointment as Sheffield Wednesday stance revealed

Having lost two of their regulars from last season in Saville and Honeyman, Millwall are in need of midfield reinforcements before the end of the window.

Lions supporters may understandably have reservations about Bannan's age, but he proved last season for Wednesday that he is still more than capable of performing at Championship level, and he could be an incredibly useful player for Neil to have in the squad, even if he is only used as an impact substitute.

However, it is clear from The Star's report that Bannan remains incredibly committed to the Owls despite their current turmoil, and it is likely that he would only consider leaving Hillsborough if the club's financial situation made it impossible for him to stay.

As such, regardless of whether Millwall supporters want to see Bannan added to the squad, his unwavering loyalty to Wednesday could well see a deal fail to materialise any way.