Sheffield Wednesday will prepare to say goodbye to six key players for nothing in the next 24 hours, unless something drastic changes.
Wednesday have been hit with a double embargo and are in complete turmoil off the pitch as Danny Rohl has also told players he will leave the Owls.
Kieran Maguire’s forecast suggests things won’t get better for Wednesday and there are genuine fears that players and staff won’t receive their June salaries.
As we reach the final day of June, that means some players will officially be out of contract as of midnight, and six of those are set to leave Hillsborough.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty ImagesStuart Armstrong
A short-term signing after joining in January, Stuart Armstrong is set to leave the club and is reportedly going to remain in the Championship after being linked with Wrexham.
The 33-year-old was a semi-regular under Rohl, making 11 appearances but it was never going to be a long-term solution and now he will be one of those to leave the club and move on elsewhere.
Akin Famewo
One of the many players who didn’t return to pre-season training last week, all signs point towards Akin Famewo moving on to pastures new.
Famewo spent a large period of last season on the sidelines with a muscle injury meaning that his game time was significantly reduced.
Before that, Famewo had a role to play in the side and at the age of 26, is entering his prime and will be able to pick up a new club easily.
Callum Paterson
Photo by Scott Llewellyn | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Another one of the players who wasn’t spotted back in pre-season training with Wednesday, the versatile Callum Paterson also looks like he will be moving on.
The 30-year-old has spent the majority of his time in Yorkshire playing as a forward and the 30-year-old could be seen as a shrewd pick-up for any clubs in the lower depths of the Championship and maybe some League One teams too.
Paterson has been at the club for the best part of five years now, however, it seems that they are both set to go their separate ways.
Barry Bannan
The one that could hurt Wednesday most. Barry Bannan has been with the club through thick and thin, staying when he could’ve easily left.
Bannan is set to become a free agent like the others on the list but was at the club’s training ground for pre-season, giving supporters some hope that he may stick around and sign a new contract after all.
Like Armstrong though, the former Scotland international could be heading to Wales to join Wrexham.
If he is to leave, this is the one that would hurt the Owls most.
Liam Palmer
Liam Palmer came through the Sheffield Wednesday academy and like Bannan, loves the club with all of his heart.
Palmer is still a regular, even at the age of 33 and to not see him wearing the blue and white shirt will look very odd.
Wednesday need players like this to help bed new players into the club, as well as teach them the philosophy of what it means to play for the club.
Marvin Johnson
Last on the list is Marvin Johnson. This departure, like Armstrong, feels like it was inevitable – despite making over 40 appearances.
The 35-year-old left-back has already been confirmed as one of the players who will leave Hillsborough this summer and will no doubt not be short of options when it comes to a move.
League One clubs could be interested in his services or a return to Scotland could be an option too.