Sheffield Wednesday’s mini magician Barry Bannan has been linked with a potential January transfer back to his former club, Aston Villa, this week.
Fans shouldn’t be overly concerned with this development as it comes from the Mirror for a start, and for a second there is absolutely nothing in the report to suggest it’s not a complete piece of invention. It doesn’t even contain a single quote to back up their claim that head coach Dean Smith is a ‘big fan’ of the 28-year-old and all the other cliches they throw out.
Given the summer we had and Financial Fair Play issues, allied to the fact we have now lost three on the spin in the Championship and frustrations amongst some in the fanbase are clearly growing with Jos Luhukay, this certainly isn’t what they wanted to read at the beginning of the week though.
If Villa get Bannan just put us out our misery and relegate us back to the pub league #swfc
— Robbie Jamieson (@robbiej2906) October 30, 2018
Would be very costly for both parties. Just signed a new contract so won't go cheap
— Wayne Jackson (@waynejackson84) October 30, 2018
Selling reach would make more sense, penney replaces him n we get big money for him, then re invest with the money, selling bannan would be suicide may aswell pack in n prepare for league 1
— rob seeds (@owlsmad2005) October 30, 2018
I’d hate to see him (or Reach but agree that would be a safer option) go but the club’s bigger than one player. If the £15 mill (I wouldn’t let him go for less) would help get us out of this mess, we have to do it surely?
— Lynda Arnold (@lindapriestley1) October 30, 2018
As far as FFP goes, any money received for Barry Bannan is profit. That profit can be used to bring in other players while having zero impact on FFP. So who replaces him? Whoever the new guy and his scouting team find for equal or lower total outlay
— John Smith (@94Smith1) October 30, 2018
If we sell bannan then we are in trouble #swfc
— Shane Levitt (@ShaneLevitt11) October 29, 2018
The report clearly misses the fact he’s not long extended his contract, nor has spoken about enjoying his time at the club and feeling settled, so I just don’t see there being any legs in this one whatsoever.