West Brom urged to sign Barry Bannan from Sheffield Wednesday on one condition | OneFootball

The Baggies are one of three Championship clubs eyeing the Owls star

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 are in the midst of one of their toughest times as a club, and the uncertain future of captain Barry Bannan is doing nothing to ease concerns.

The 35-year-old’s contract at Hillsborough is due to expire this month, and while he has been offered a new deal, the club have since been hit with financial restrictions owing to non-payment of players.

Clubs are alert to the situation and have been circling Bannan, with TEAMtalk journalist Fraser Fletcher reporting that West Bromwich Albion are one of the interested parties, along with fellow Championship sides Stoke City and Wrexham.

We asked our Albion Fan Pundit, Callum, whether the veteran midfielder would be a good fit at the Hawthorns.

There are pros and cons to Bannan pursuit - a short-term deal would be key

Speaking to Football League World, Callum said: “He's still managed to play 40 games for Sheffield Wednesday last season, so he's clearly still got some in the tank remaining despite being 35 years old.

“And then with his leadership qualities as well, something that Albion’s lacking in my opinion, I think it could be a useful signing if Albion are able to bring Barry Bannan to the club.

“He'd definitely be able to rotate with [Alex] Mowett, you’d probably imagine, and if he's got players next to him with the likes of [Jayson] Molumby, [Isaac] Price.

“They’re midfielders who are going to be running all day long, to ease a bit of the pressure on a Barry Bannan.

“I'm a bit split because he is, of course, 35 and brings great leadership quality. He'd also be taking up a hefty wage, you'd imagine, and that way, he wouldn't come cheap.

“For one year, probably at most, as well, so there’s a bit of a decision to make, but yeah, could be a decent signing for one year with his leadership qualities.”

Bannan may be forced to quit the Owls

Bannan has now been with Wednesday for almost 10 years, has risen to captain and is a hero at Hillsborough.

It will have been expected by many that he’d see out his playing days with the Owls, having got to 35 while still playing 41 Championship games last season.

But, like many other issues with Wednesday at the moment, the turbulent ownership of Dejphon Chansiri may derail that dream.

Due to late payment of wages, the Owls have been handed a three-window transfer fee restriction and, according to The Star, there is now a wage cap in place preventing the club from paying more than around £7,000 per week to players.

Given Capology estimates Bannan is currently on £24,038 a week, there is significant difference between the two figures in what could be the midfielder’s last playing contract.

That, coupled with the fact that manager Danny Rohl appears desperate to get out of the club, means the short-term future of the Owls looks bleak; not the ideal environment to end your career.

Bannan would only cement his hero status at the club further if he took a wage cut to stay with the Owls at this difficult time, but nobody could blame him for leaving, and a club like Albion could wind up being the beneficiaries of a relatively shrewd deal.