For every successful approach Wolves have made this summer, there seems to be ten that don’t go their way, as was the case with one Barcelona star.
Wolves have had mixed success in the transfer window, with plenty of players turning down a move to Molineux.
Whether it’s the club’s evident lack of ambition in signing new players or the mass exodus of key figures in Vitor Pereira’s side, something about the Wolves project isn’t appealing to players.
🚨 Jorge Mendes had made recent contacts to get a deal done for Nantes striker Matthis Abline but even before an offer was drawn, Abline did not respond favourably to the Wolves' advances. The project presented by Wolves did not convince him 🇫🇷
[ @lequipe 🥇] #wwfc #wolves https://t.co/wTGwJfZegm
— 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐋𝐅𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐊™️ (@Wolfpackwwfc) August 11, 2025
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That’s what happened with Barcelona, where Wolves had a £13 million bid accepted, before the player made it clear he wouldn’t be joining.
Barcelona accepted bid for Gerard Martin but he didn’t want to join Wolves
Wolves were on the search for a Rayan Ait-Nouri replacement for much of the summer, eventually landing on AZ Alkmaar’s David Moller Wolfe.
But a new report from SPORT has revealed how close Wolves came to landing Barca left-back Gerard Martin.
Gerard Martin of FC Barcelona reacts during the LaLiga match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and FC Barcelona
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
The report states: “The Blaugrana club was completely open to selling him to Wolverhampton when an offer exceeding €15 million arrived, but Gerard refused to budge, and that was it.”
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Martin had his breakout season last year, making 28 league appearances for Barca as they lifted the La Liga title, pitching in with four goal involvements. He also started five games in the Champions League, providing three assists. He could have been a very useful player for Pereira, but alas.
David Moller Wolfe and Hugo Bueno in close competition this season
Despite the stern rejection from Martin, the left wing-back position doesn’t look like an issue so far this season.
Pereira has a decision to make between David Moller Wolfe and Hugo Bueno, who will likely share the duties depending on the opposition.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Unveil New Signing David Moller Wolfe
Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images
From what little we have seen of Moller Wolfe, he looks to be defensively solid and a good physical presence to have on the left flank, while Bueno has looked the more threatening going forward.
It’s a small sample size, but if the two can continue to excel in their specialty areas, it will offer flexibility that could be crucial over a 38-game season.