Godwin ObajeWolves Target Barcelona’s Gerard Martin as Aït-Nouri Replacement Amid Summer Overhaul
Wolverhampton Wanderers are preparing for a transformative summer under Vítor Pereira and have identified Barcelona full-back Gerard Martin as a potential replacement for outgoing left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri.
The 23-year-old Spaniard, described as “brilliant,” is now firmly on Wolves’ radar following Aït-Nouri’s £47m move to Manchester City earlier this week. With the Algeria international’s departure marking the first of several high-profile exits expected at Molineux, Wolves are acting swiftly to reshape their squad and avoid another flirtation with relegation in the upcoming campaign.
According to Sport, Wolves are keen to lure Martin away from the Camp Nou with the promise of a “significant pay-rise” and consistent first-team football. While Martin featured regularly for Barça last season — making 42 appearances in all competitions under Hansi Flick — he remains second choice behind Alejandro Balde, and Wolves believe that the lure of Premier League minutes could prove decisive.
The club’s offer includes a long-term contract, and while Martin is believed to prefer staying in Catalonia, Wolves are quietly optimistic about securing his signature. Barcelona are reportedly open to selling the young defender for a fee in the region of €12 million (£10.1m), a valuation well within Wolves’ current budget following the sales of Aït-Nouri and forward Matheus Cunha, who joined Manchester United last week.
Pereira is eager to build on a strong finish to last season that saw him steer Wolves clear of the relegation zone. The former Porto and Shanghai SIPG boss was widely credited with instilling a more organised and resilient tactical structure, earning him a Premier League Manager of the Season nomination in the process. The Portuguese coach now wants reinforcements to avoid another bottom-half scrap.
Martin’s underlying numbers from 2024/25 suggest he would bring both attacking thrust and defensive discipline to Molineux. Across 1,480 minutes of league action, he registered one goal and six assists, often pushing high into the final third in Flick’s possession-heavy system. While he is still developing his defensive positioning, his athleticism and technical quality have drawn comparisons to Balde — and Wolves see him as a player who could thrive in the more transitional Premier League environment.
Wolves’ transfer priorities
The Midlands club are expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer, with Pereira keen to reshape his back line following Aït-Nouri’s exit. Clement Bischof, the versatile young left-sided defender from Bundesliga side Heidenheim, is another name being considered, though no formal bid has yet been lodged.
Martin, however, remains the leading target — and a move to Molineux could offer him the platform to elevate his profile ahead of Spain’s Euro 2028 qualification campaign, especially if he remains behind Balde at Barcelona. “Wolves are willing to hand him a ‘significant pay-rise’ on a long-term contract,” Sport reports, and with Barça not standing in the way of a departure, negotiations could accelerate in the coming days.
João Gomes, one of Wolves’ standout performers last season, recently signed a new contract amid reported interest from several top-six clubs, and his extension is seen as a statement of intent by the club. Retaining key players while integrating emerging talent like Martin will be central to Wolves’ rebuild this summer.
What’s next for Martin?
The main obstacle for Wolves remains convincing Martin that a move to the Premier League is in his best interest. The player is reportedly keen to fight for his place at Barcelona, but given the club’s financial constraints and Balde’s firm grip on the starting berth, Wolves are hopeful that both the prospect of regular football and an increased salary will tip the balance.
At 23, Martin still has significant upside and would be seen as a long-term asset. His development under Xavi and Flick at Barcelona has given him a solid tactical education, while his technical skills are in keeping with Wolves’ desire to build a more ball-playing back line under Pereira.
With the club’s recruitment department focusing heavily on players who are both affordable and Premier League-ready, Martin’s profile fits the bill. There is also a sense that Wolves want to make their move before other clubs circle, particularly if Martin were to impress in pre-season or attract late attention from other top-flight sides.
Wolves in transition
The departures of Cunha and Aït-Nouri mark the end of an era for Wolves, who had invested heavily in young continental talent in recent years. Pereira’s challenge now is to rebuild around a more balanced, sustainable squad — with a mixture of experienced Premier League performers and emerging talents with room to grow.
With financial resources available and the promise of a fresh tactical blueprint under Pereira, Molineux could become a more attractive destination this summer. Whether Martin becomes the next piece in the puzzle remains to be seen, but Wolves’ proactive stance in the market is already signalling a clear intent to evolve.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how quickly the club can complete their rebuild — and whether Gerard Martin, one of La Liga’s brightest full-backs, will be at the heart of it.
Gerard Martin 2024/25 Stats (Barcelona)
Games: 42 (19 starts, 23 sub appearances)
Minutes played: 1,480
Goals: 1
Assists: 6
All statistics via WhoScored, correct as of 10 June 2025.
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