Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion have joined Wrexham in the battle to sign Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan this summer.

Even amid all the chaos that is going on at Hillsborough, it was reported that the Scottish captain of the Owls was looking likely to stick around.

Things are slowly getting worse for Wednesday. Should their players not receive this month’s wages on time, following last month’s missed payments, a number of which are yet to be received, notices to terminate contracts could be handed to the club, leaving them in even more mess than they are currently in.

Bannan was one of three players that Danny Rohl’s side offered new deals to this summer. None of him Akin Famewo or Callum Paterson have committed to Wednesday yet, or any other club for that matter, but the midfielder always felt the most likely to stay. Interest is building, however, with two of their league rivals now reportedly joining the race for the 35-year-old.

Stoke and West Brom join Barry Bannan signature race

Stoke and West Brom are interested in signing Bannan, according to Fraser Fletcher, alongside Championship newcomers Wrexham.

The Red Dragons’ interest in him had been previously published by The Sun, who also claim that Phil Parkinson’s side are interested in Stuart Armstrong, one of the players that Wednesday released. Now they face competition from Mark Robins’ Potters and Ryan Mason’s Baggies.

Even if the trio that Wednesday offered new deals were to agree to the terms presented to them in May, they may not be able to sign them. The three-window transfer ban that they have been handed could affect their ability to lockdown Bannan, Famewo and Paterson.