Wolves’ Left Wing-Back Dilemma: Can Archie Brown Fill the Ait-Nouri Void?
The summer of 2025 marks a significant turning point for Wolverhampton Wanderers. After years of steady development and several astute signings, the club has finally seen one of its most exciting assets poached by a Premier League heavyweight. Rayan Ait-Nouri’s transfer to Manchester City has left a void not only in the squad’s lineup but in its identity. In a team that has been heavily reliant on wide play and progressive wing-backs, losing such a pivotal figure threatens to undo much of the progress made last season under Vitor Pereira.
Now, Wolves face a critical decision: how do you replace one of the Premier League’s best left wing-backs on a restricted budget? In the search for a solution, Archie Brown has emerged as a name that ticks many boxes—though perhaps not all.
Ait-Nouri’s Departure: A Pivotal Moment
Rayan Ait-Nouri’s rise to prominence was one of Wolves’ biggest success stories. Signed permanently from Angers in 2021 following an impressive loan spell, he gradually developed from a raw, attack-minded full-back into a well-rounded, elite-level wing-back capable of impacting games on both ends of the pitch.
In the 2024/25 season, Ait-Nouri took his game to new heights. With 12 goal involvements in all competitions, he became a cornerstone of Wolves’ attacking blueprint. His overlapping runs, composure in tight spaces, and incisive passes gave Wolves width, penetration, and unpredictability—crucial ingredients in Vitor Pereira’s high-tempo, transitional setup.
When Wolves faced Manchester City late in the season, Ait-Nouri’s performance was so commanding that even Micah Richards singled him out for praise during punditry, calling him “unplayable” and “exactly what Guardiola looks for in a full-back.” Days later, City made their move.
However, the financial return was underwhelming. Despite Ait-Nouri’s value likely exceeding £50 million in the current market, Wolves only recouped £26.5 million, after triggering a hefty 50% sell-on clause to Angers. The deal, while perhaps inevitable, has left Wolves with limited resources to find a replacement—at least one capable of offering even half of what Ait-Nouri brought to the table.
What About Hugo Bueno?
Some might argue Wolves already have a solution in-house: Hugo Bueno, who returned from his loan at Feyenoord this summer. The Spaniard gained valuable minutes in the Eredivisie, sharpening his attacking instincts and learning under a possession-oriented system. But there’s a clear gap between promise and readiness.
Bueno has shown glimpses of quality at Molineux before—especially in terms of his delivery and energy—but he still struggles defensively against top-tier opposition and doesn’t possess the same dribbling or ball-carrying traits that made Ait-Nouri such a unique asset.
If Wolves are aiming to consolidate or even push for European places, relying solely on Bueno in such a tactically crucial position would be a gamble Pereira can’t afford.
The Search for a Replacement: From Gerard Martin to Archie Brown
Earlier in the window, Wolves were linked with Barcelona B’s Gerard Martin, a technically gifted Spaniard with attacking flair and a good footballing education. However, interest in Martin has since cooled, perhaps due to his relative inexperience or price demands.
Now, attention has turned to Archie Brown, currently plying his trade in Belgium with KAA Gent. According to MilanNews.net, Wolves are one of three clubs vying for the 23-year-old’s signature, alongside AC Milan and Fenerbahce—two clubs with stature, but with their own drawbacks.
Milan, despite their name, won’t be in European competition next season, having missed out in the Serie A standings. Fenerbahce, while under the global spotlight thanks to Jose Mourinho’s appointment, face structural instability and the unpredictability that has followed Mourinho in recent years. Wolves, meanwhile, offer Brown Premier League football, stability, and a clear pathway to first-team action.
Who is Archie Brown?
Archie Brown is a product of Derby County’s academy, once tipped to break into the first team before he moved abroad in search of senior football. His decision to leave England for Belgium raised eyebrows at the time, but it has proven to be a savvy move.
At KAA Gent, Brown has flourished as an attack-minded left-back or wing-back, showing both maturity and ambition. His 2024/25 season saw him contribute nine goal involvements (4 goals, 5 assists) across 46 matches, offering both end-product and consistency from wide areas.
Physically strong, tactically intelligent, and technically polished, Brown excels at:
Driving runs from deep positions
Delivering low and high crosses into the box
Supporting midfielders with combination play
Recovering defensively in transition
He still has areas to refine—his positioning at times can be suspect, and he’s yet to face the kind of week-to-week quality the Premier League demands—but as a £6.9m–£8.6m signing, he represents outstanding value in a bloated market.
A Sensible Signing for a Sensible Budget
Given Wolves’ reported transfer budget and the multiple priorities they face this summer, Brown might be the best left wing-back they can realistically afford. Beyond replacing Ait-Nouri, Wolves also need:
A backup striker or Matheus Cunha replacement, should he leave
Additional cover at centre-back, following squad turnover
Possibly a creative midfielder, depending on João Gomes’ development and Mario Lemina’s age profile
With a modest budget, Wolves can’t afford to blow £25m–£30m on a left wing-back. Brown allows them to invest in one of the most important positions on the pitch while preserving resources for other crucial upgrades.
Why Wolves Must Act Quickly
Brown’s affordability and upside make him attractive to multiple clubs, and Wolves may lose out if they hesitate. While Milan can’t offer European football, they still carry historic prestige, and Fenerbahce—though volatile—could tempt players with higher wages and a shot at domestic trophies.
What Wolves can offer is Premier League exposure, tactical clarity, and a defined first-team role. In an era where young English players are increasingly looking abroad or to lower-table clubs for consistent minutes, Wolves could position themselves as an ideal launchpad for Brown’s career.
Replacing Ait-Nouri Is Impossible… but Minimizing the Drop-Off Isn’t
Let’s be clear: Wolves will not find a player of Ait-Nouri’s quality for under £10 million. That’s not how the modern market works. But the objective here isn’t to find a carbon copy. It’s to identify a player who can:
Fit seamlessly into Pereira’s system
Offer consistent attacking threat
Grow with the squad over time
Brown fits all three categories.
If Wolves sign him and pair him with Hugo Bueno for rotational depth, they could maintain a competitive edge down the left flank. Add in further smart recruitment elsewhere—especially in the final third—and Wolves might not just survive the post-Ait-Nouri transition but thrive in it.
Conclusion: A Crucial Decision That Could Define the Season
As Wolves prepare for the 2025/26 campaign, the left wing-back role looms large in their strategic planning. The loss of Rayan Ait-Nouri was inevitable—but the response to that loss will determine whether the team builds on last season’s momentum or takes a step back.
In Archie Brown, Wolves have a rare opportunity: to sign a high-upside, attack-minded wing-back with experience in European football, a Premier League-ready profile, and a price tag that aligns with the club’s financial reality.
He may not be a superstar today, but with the right coaching and consistent minutes, he could be Wolves’ next great export—and a key figure in Vitor Pereira’s evolving side.
Now, the club must move decisively to secure him—before someone else does.