Barry Bannan reportedly refused major contract offers from Championship contenders Middlesbrough and Millwall—deals said to be worth nearly triple his current Sheffield Wednesday wages—in order to remain at Hillsborough this summer.
At 35, Bannan’s legendary status at the club made his decision predictable, even with his contract expiring in June and Wednesday facing a period of great uncertainty. Despite technically being a free agent, he still showed up for pre-season training and eventually put pen to paper on a new deal just over a week before the 2025/26 season kicked off.
This loyalty came at a time when numerous teammates were heading for the exit after months of delayed wages and ongoing instability. According to The Times, Bannan himself had lucrative alternatives on the table, with both Middlesbrough and Millwall eager to sign him. Still, he rejected their approaches and stayed committed to Wednesday.
How much he turned down
With Bannan out of contract for several weeks during the summer, it was no shock that other Championship clubs tried to lure him away. As one of Sheffield Wednesday’s biggest cult heroes, these new revelations only reinforce his iconic status.
The Scottish midfielder has ridden every high and low with Wednesday over the past decade—from play-off finals to League One struggles, and even near financial collapse. His latest contract renewal came just days after the squad suffered its fourth delayed wage payment in five months—an episode that pushed players to refuse taking part in their final pre-season match and raised doubts about their ability to fulfil the opening Championship fixture.
Many would have forgiven Bannan if he had chosen to follow the others who left, but instead he stayed, becoming a rare positive moment in an otherwise bleak period for the club.
Even if Wednesday end up slipping back into League One, they will do so with their captain fighting for them until the end.
Why the offers were so significant
For the past decade, Bannan has been one of the Championship’s standout midfielders. His quality in the centre of the pitch continues to shine, and The Times reports that both Middlesbrough and Millwall—currently sitting second and sixth in the table—were prepared to offer huge wages to tempt him away.
Bannan himself admitted receiving “big offers” from “stable clubs.” Considering his current salary is believed to be around £7,000 per week, those offers hovering around the £21,000-per-week mark underline how highly other teams value him.
While some would question paying that much for a veteran, Bannan’s performances remain as strong as when he first arrived at Hillsborough. His three goals and two assists in 15 appearances this season show he could still have been a major asset to a promotion-chasing side.
But his loyalty to Sheffield Wednesday runs far deeper than money. He chose to stay with a club in turmoil, earning significantly less, even with relegation looming.
For Wednesday fans, his rejection of Middlesbrough and Millwall only strengthens his legendary status and provides a rare piece of positivity in difficult times.
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