Gerard Martin is one name on Wolves’ transfer list as Vitor Pereira hunts for a Rayan Ait-Nouri replacement.
Ait-Nouri is expected to sign for Manchester City in the coming days, which will bring his five-year association with Wolves to an end.
It’s a non-negotiable that Fosun replace Ait-Nouri’s goal threat, particularly after Pereira lost Matheus Cunha in the transfer market too.
Wolves have identified Martin as a target to do such, as the Barcelona defender’s future in Catalonia is unclear.
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Wolves have a plan to lure Gerard Martin away from Barcelona
Given that Wolves can sign Martin from Barcelona for just £10m, it seems that striking the deal for the highly-rated full-back is essential.
Martin has proven himself at Champions League level, starring for Barcelona in the semi-finals against Inter Milan, signalling that he possesses the versatile wide profile Wolves so dearly need.
There is, however, a problem, and that is that it’s unclear whether the 23-year-old is ready to leave Barcelona, just one year after his promotion from the development side to the first team.
In a report about Wolves’ interest in the defender, Spanish outlet SPORT shared the player’s stance on leaving Catalonia for Wolverhampton in the summer.
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It’s understood that Martin would ‘like to stay’ at Barcelona, which is understandable given his rapid rise, but that doesn’t seem to be a deterrent for the Old Gold.
According to SPORT, Wolves are plotting to lure the target to Molineux using their financial power, as the West Midlands club is planning to ‘significantly increase’ his salary.
It’s added that Wolves are ‘willing’ to offer the youngster a long-term deal to complement his wage boost, something that SPORT described as a ‘win-win situation’ for the player.
Right now, Martin earns a weekly wage in the region of £6,800, according to Capology, a figure that Wolves would certainly be able to rocket.
Signing Gerard Martin would be huge for Wolves
Despite finishing 16th in the Premier League table, Wolves still have a unique pull to sign players from overseas.
That’s merely because of their Premier League status and the riches that come with such, something that could prove pivotal to the pursuit of Martin.
Signing a player of the Barcelona ace’s calibre to replace Ait-Nouri would show a sign of ambition from Wolves, something that fans have been longing for.
Whether the Old Gold can convince Martin to change his tune on possibly making Molineux home remains a mystery, with his future certainly something for fans to eye.