Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan elected to stay with the Owls this summer, despite offers from Middlesbrough and Millwall that would have paid him up to quadruple his present salary.
The financial troubles that have beset Hillsborough this summer have had far-reaching consequences for the club. The Owls’ failure to pay players, coaches, and other staff members has resulted in a two-year transfer restriction, preventing them from purchasing any players until the summer of 2027.
Furthermore, any players they sign in the meanwhile must be approved by the EFL, despite the fact that the club’s embargoes have been lifted.
According to The Star, any player that signs with Wednesday this summer, which includes only Bannan and emergency goalkeeper acquisition Ethan Horvarth, will be limited to earning up to £7,000 per week.
Barry Bannan’s important Middlesbrough and Millwall contract decision revealed
Bannan, the club’s captain and now-legendary figure, chose to stay and assist the Owls in their time of need despite the significant wage cut.
One of Hillsborough’s past top earners, the midfielder’s contract expired this summer, limiting his new terms to four figures.
He has played a significant role in the ray of optimism that Wednesday’s fans have been given by their team.
They earned their first point of the season on Saturday, coming back from 2-0 down to tie 2-2 with Wrexham, who have reportedly spent £23.65 million this summer.
This summer, the 35-year-old had more options than just Wednesday. Middlesbrough and Millwall were both linked with Bannan earlier this summer, and The Times reported that they were willing to pay him three times his current salary to sign him.
According to The Star, the Owls’ captain could have earned £21,000 per week at either the Riverside Stadium or The Den, but he declined both offers to remain loyal.
Barry Bannan’s brave choice to stay with Sheffield Wednesday will hopefully reap rewards
The Scot will understand that he only has so many years left in the game.
He’s not playing like someone who has traveled so far in his career, but there’s no denying that he’s nearing the end of his journey. Following that, the money he may make from other chances may not be as lucrative.
Just over £1 million a year, which is what he would have received if he had played for Boro or the Lions, is a huge figure for anyone, let alone professional footballers.
To turn that down in lieu of earning about £365,000 per year, which is by no means a pittance to live on, tells volumes about Bannan’s dedication to the club and should make him even more cherished by fans, if that is even possible at this stage.
And if a takeover occurs at Wednesday in the future, you’d hope that Bannan is compensated for his actions by the club’s next chairman by receiving a pay raise if he continues to put in performances worthy of a top Championship player, as he did last weekend against Wrexham.
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