Sheffield Wednesday committed to some smart transfer business in the last few weeks as they look to overturn their 12-point deduction imposed before the start of the season.

Garry Monk brought in lots of Championship experience, with the likes of Aden Flint, Callum Paterson and Josh Windass all arriving at Hillsborough, along with the exciting addition of Jack Marriott on loan from Derby County.

But the most important decision Monk may have made before the transfer deadline could have been turning down a bid for one of his star players.

According to Sky Sports, an offer was made from Wednesday's league rivals Brentford for their skipper Barry Bannan, just days before the window slammed shut.

It did not match what the Owls were looking for though, who see Bannan as an integral part of their team, just as he has been since 2015.

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But the Wednesday hierarchy could have a huge issue coming up - as the 30-year-old's contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

Unsurprisingly Bannan is thought to be one of the top earners at the club since he arrived five years ago, which was due to his immense talent and Premier League experience.

And with his latest contract coming to an end next June, tying Bannan down to a new deal is arguably more important than any potential new signing in January, or any player that was signed in the past transfer window.

Monk has said himself that he wants to get a new deal for the Scotland international sorted, but with a progressive team like Brentford interested in his signature, it may leave Bannan with some food for thought about his own future.

Considering he turns 31 in December, the next contract Bannan pens is likely to be his last big one, but he may be thinking about his best route back to the Premier League alongside his potential pay-packet.

There's every chance Brentford may return for him in January to bolster their engine room, which would put Sheffield Wednesday in a delicate position if they've failed to tie him down by that point.

Bannan though is the creative spark in the middle of the park that makes Wednesday tick, and if they were to lose him, there's no like-for-like replacement that could slot in seamlessly, with understudies like Joey Pelupessy, Massimo Luongo and prospect Alex Hunt arguably not on his level.

The Owls fans will be begging the higher-ups at the club to put a deal on the table for the Scot - or else it could be a long season waiting to see where his future lies.