Tolu Arokodare asks to leave Wolves: Ranking Europe’s top clubs chasing the Super Eagles star

Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has officially told Wolverhampton Wanderers that he wants to leave the club this summer after a frustrating first season in England, Afrik-Foot reports.

This is according to a report posted on X by reliable transfer market insider Nicolo Schira.

Arokodare, 25, joined Wolves from Belgian champions KRC Genk last September in a deal worth around £23.4 million (€27 million). Expectations were high after his impressive scoring form in Belgium, but things did not go according to plan at Molineux.

Arokodare struggled to make the same impact in the Premier League, scoring only three league goals in 33 appearances. His difficult campaign ended with Wolves finishing bottom of the Premier League table, confirming relegation to the EFL Championship.

The Nigerian international is understood to be determined to continue playing in one of Europe’s top-flight leagues instead of spending next season in England’s second division.

His relationship with the club also became strained after reports of a dressing-room incident following Wolves’ heavy 4-0 defeat to West Ham United. Arokodare was reportedly involved in an altercation with teenage teammate Mateus Mane, an incident that further damaged his standing at the club. Former manager Rob Edwards was said to have supported the idea of moving the striker on after the disagreement.

The arrival of experienced striker Raúl Jiménez has also reduced Arokodare’s chances of becoming Wolves’ first-choice forward next season.

Although he initially stayed behind while transfer discussions continued, Arokodare has since linked up with Wolves’ pre-season squad at their warm-weather training camp in Portugal to provide cover following an injury to another player.

With the striker still under contract until 2029, Wolves are not under immediate pressure to sell. Instead, the club are believed to prefer a loan move with an option or obligation to buy so they can protect the value of their original investment while negotiations continue.

But with Arokodare now intent on leaving Wolves, interested suitors have now received a massive boost in their pursuit of the former FC Cologne forward.

Ranking the clubs interested in Arokodare

3. Trabzonspor

Turkish giants Trabzonspor became the first club to make an official move for Arokodare by submitting a loan offer that Wolves were willing to accept.

Despite the agreement between the two clubs, the move never gathered momentum because the Nigerian forward was not interested in playing in Turkey.

Arokodare has made it clear that his priority is joining a club in one of Europe’s top five leagues, making Trabzonspor the least likely destination among the current contenders.

Although Trabzonspor remain one of Turkey’s biggest clubs with a passionate fan base and regular European ambitions, they cannot currently match the attraction of Serie A for the striker.

2. Genoa

Italian side Genoa have entered the race as they continue searching for attacking reinforcements ahead of the new Serie A season.

The club, managed by Daniele De Rossi, have added Arokodare to their summer shortlist after monitoring his situation at Wolves.

Genoa are Italy’s oldest football club and have rich history, but in recent years they have mainly competed as a mid-table Serie A side rather than challenging for trophies.

A move to Genoa would still allow Arokodare to remain in one of Europe’s strongest leagues and could provide him with regular playing time as he looks to rebuild his reputation after a disappointing year in England.

1. Fiorentina

Fiorentina are currently the strongest and most serious contenders for Arokodare’s signature.

The Florence-based club have already had an opening proposal rejected before returning with an improved offer that includes a loan deal with a €22 million purchase clause.

Negotiations between the two clubs are continuing, with discussions focused on the structure of the buy option. However, Fiorentina remain confident of reaching an agreement.

The move ticks every box for Arokodare. Fiorentina regularly compete for European qualification places in Serie A and have reached major European finals in recent seasons, offering the Nigerian striker a chance to play at a much higher competitive level than the Championship.

With Wolves open to negotiations and the player keen on a move to Italy, Fiorentina currently sit at the top of the list of clubs most likely to sign the Super Eagles forward before the summer transfer window closes.