One Barry Bannan situation at Sheffield Wednesday is "very concerning" - Wrexham AFC pursuit played down | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit Patrick McKenna has admitted he is concerned about Barry Bannan's contract situation.

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…

Sheffield Wednesday club captain Barry Bannan is yet to sign a new contract with the club amid financial turmoil, whilst Wrexham are closely monitoring the Scot's situation.

The summer so far has been a nightmare for Owls supporters, as Dejphon Chansiri has once again caused more issues at the Yorkshire side by neglecting to pay players and staff on time.

This has seen the Yorkshire side placed under embargo until all players are paid the full amount they're owed by the club. This has also made contract negotiations very difficult for those who are due to depart at the end of June.

One of those is legendary midfielder Bannan, who has called Hillsborough home for the last decade, and currently sits on 447 appearances for Wednesday in all competitions.

Reports have emerged that the 35-year-old is keen to remain at the club regardless of the ongoing troubles behind the scenes, but Wrexham are reportedly still hopeful of signing the veteran midfielder, should a new deal not be agreed.

Barry Bannan's Sheffield Wednesday contract situation "very concerning"

With just under two weeks before the midfielder becomes a free agent, Football League World spoke to their resident Sheffield Wednesday expert, Patrick McKenna, and quizzed him about whether he believes Bannan will stay.

McKenna answered: "It is very concerning that Barry Bannan hasn't signed a new contract yet, and there is a possibility that he won't be a Wednesday player next season.

"However, Bannan has been here pretty much throughout the whole Chansiri era, and he's been through many instances of him not getting his wages.

"If there is one player who would possibly stay on and will sign, it would be Bannan. He has shown real loyalty to the club [by] tolerating multiple issues with wages, and he's taken a wage deduction.

"Although there has been a delay, I would not be surprised if he did eventually step up and sign a new contract," he concluded.

The latest reports that Bannan wants to remain at the club will come as a huge boost, and as Patrick stated, the situation currently unfolding at Wednesday isn't alien to the long-serving midfielder.

Barry Bannan Wrexham links dismissed

Patrick then followed up on the recent reports that newly-promoted Wrexham are interested in signing the Wednesday club captain, but he was pretty quick to dismiss the idea.

He said: "If he was to leave the club, I don't see the Wrexham link personally. In fact, I think this coming season the fairytale around Wrexham might hit a bit of cold hard reality in the Championship.

"They've come to a higher level than League One, and they won't be the big draw in the division as they have been in League One or League Two. There are plenty of other options.

"As well with Bannan, he does seem settled around the area, so I think if he was to move clubs, it would be nearer to Sheffield.

"I don't know who that would be, but I just don't see Bannan being tempted by Wrexham or really buying into the fairytale around them.

"The logistics of it as well, I couldn't see him wanting to uproot himself at this stage of his career and move down to Wrexham, so if Bannan goes, I don't think it'll be to Wrexham."