Bannan wants to leave Sheff Wed, says Pedersen

Captain Barry Bannan wants to leave Sheffield Wednesday, manager Henrik Pedersen has confirmed, after the midfielder was given a standing ovation in the defeat by Bristol City in what is expected to be his final game for the club.

Bannan has been strongly linked with a move to Millwall but Pedersen said he did not know if a medical had been arranged for the former Scotland international with the Lions.

The 36-year-old has made 435 league appearances for the Owls in more than a decade at the club, who have been in administration since October.

He was substituted off in the 91st minute of the 2-0 defeat at Ashton Gate, with fans of both sides, team-mates and opposition players applauding, before returning to the pitch after the full-time whistle to go over to the travelling fans.

"What I can say is that Barry wants to leave the club after the whole situation and that Barry and his representative are speaking to the club to find a solution," Pedersen told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"Barry has made this decision and he wants to leave and I have very big respect for Barry and also for the solution, but of course I am not happy that he is leaving."

Pedersen said Bannan had spoken to his team-mates about his intention to leave earlier in the week and that it was a "difficult" moment.

"You could feel Barry's emotion from him to them and you could feel the emotion from them to him, so of course it was an emotional moment," he said.

"I said to him 'I'll miss you a lot' – on a football level, a captain level, a friend level. It will be tough but we also have a fantastic dressing room today and we have a lot of young, hungry players with a big, big heart for our club who are ready to do everything we can."

The travelling Owls fans made their feelings for Bannan known throughout the match, chanting 'There's only one Barry Bannan' repeatedly.

"You could hear them sing about Barry and they tried to give Barry the best last game, as thanks for the last 10 years," Pedersen said.

"Barry has been not only a fantastic player, but a fantastic captain and leader in this difficult time. He has been great for us all."

Pedersen also confirmed the club had received an offer for Swedish midfielder Svante Ingelsson but turned it down "because it was not good enough" for his quality.

Teenage defender Yisa Alao has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Pedersen said "something will be finalised" regarding the player's future.

Meanwhile, Pedersen was unable to confirm whether right-back Yan Valery, who did not feature against the Robins because of injury, would also still be at the club once the transfer window has closed.

"He's also one of the guys that there is speculation about," he added.

"Let's see what happens in the next seven days. I hope we can keep as many as possible but honestly I don't know."