Can Tolu Arokodare still join Galatasaray? Two factors keeping the deal alive

The latest developments surrounding Tolu Arokodare’s future suggest Galatasaray may have quietly emerged as a destination for the Super Eagles striker, Afrik Foot reports.

Only days ago, Fiorentina appeared to be leading the race for the Wolverhampton Wanderers forward, while Trabzonspor remained optimistic of convincing him to move to Turkey.

Now, both transfers have stalled. According to Turkish journalist Burak Eren, Galatasaray have not abandoned their interest in the 25-year-old, with the Nigerian striker remaining “on hold” after negotiations with Fiorentina and Trabzonspor failed to progress.

Arokodare to Galatasaray: Two factors keeping the deal alive

1. Victor Osimhen’s recommendation

The most intriguing detail surrounding Galatasaray’s interest is the involvement of Victor Osimhen, who also played a key role in the club’s move for Lesley Ugochukwu.

Eren claims the Super Eagles star personally suggested Arokodare as an ideal addition to Okan Buruk’s squad.

That endorsement carries considerable weight, because Osimhen is well respected in the Cimbom Aslan dressing room, and is set to become the face of the club following Mauro Icardi’s exit.

Since moving to Turkiye, Osimhen has become Galatasaray’s undisputed attacking leader, scoring 59 goals and registering 13 assists in 74 appearances across all competitions.

His influence clearly extends beyond the pitch, making his opinion on potential signings difficult to ignore.

Even more importantly, Arokodare is believed to have accepted the possibility of arriving at RAMS Park as Osimhen’s deputy rather than demanding a guaranteed starting place.

Rather than competing directly with Galatasaray’s biggest star, Arokodare would provide a different tactical option while learning alongside the 2023 CAF Player of the Year.

2. Arokodare’s profile can thrive at Galatasaray

Galatasaray’s interest is not based solely on familiarity with Osimhen. Per Eren, the club have long wanted a target man capable of offering a different attacking dimension from the bench.

Standing at 1.97 metres, Arokodare provides exactly that. The former Genk striker is strong in the air and can hold the ball up, making him an ideal outlet when opponents’ defenders are getting very physical.

Unlike Osimhen, whose game relies heavily on explosive movement behind defences, Arokodare excels with his back to goal, holding up possession and bringing teammates into attacking situations.

Eren described him as “a true pivot” capable of pinning defenders inside their own half while remaining highly effective inside the penalty area.

Wolves’ drama creates transfer opportunity

Galatasaray’s hopes have also been boosted by changing circumstances in England. Afrik Foot previously revealed that Arokodare rejected approaches from Fiorentina and Trabzonspor because he wanted to continue playing at the highest possible level while carefully considering his next move.

Since then, his relationship with Wolves has deteriorated further. The EFL Championship club prevented him from training with the first team after the striker requested an exit following relegation from the Premier League.

Arokodare responded publicly by insisting that he remained committed to acting professionally and that he wanted to fulfil his contractual obligations.

His statement came after reports emerged that Wolves had increased security around their training ground to keep him away.

However, Wolves may now find themselves under increasing pressure. FIFA’s regulations discourage clubs from isolating players purely to force transfers, meaning prolonged exclusion could expose the club to unwanted scrutiny if no sporting justification exists.

That situation increases the likelihood of finding a compromise before the transfer window slams shut.

Fiorentina and Trabzonspor no longer look certain

Fiorentina had submitted an improved proposal after an initial offer was rejected, while Trabzonspor also remained in discussions.

As of now, both moves appear far less likely. Fiorentina disagree with Wolves over the structure of the transfer, while Trabzonspor have struggled to convince Arokodare to reconsider his preference against moving to the Turkish club.

Meanwhile, interest from Torino has failed to materialise into serious negotiations, while Genoa’s enquiry did not move past the initial stage.

That leaves Galatasaray in a stronger position than many expected. A loan agreement with an option or obligation to buy could satisfy Wolves’ desire to protect their investment while allowing Arokodare to rebuild his reputation at Turkey’s biggest clubs.

Whether those factors ultimately lead to an agreement remains to be seen, but with Fiorentina and Trabzonspor nearly out of the picture, Galatasaray is a realistic destination for the former FC Koln striker.