Genk head coach, Thorsten Fink, has officially explained why Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare was excluded from his squad for Thursday night’s UEFA Europa Conference League clash against Polish side Lech Poznań. According to the German tactician, the decision was made purely for precautionary reasons, as the Super Eagles forward is edging closer to a potential switch to the English Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Fink, while speaking to Belgian outlet HLN, stated that leaving the forward out was the safest option for both the player and the club. With advanced transfer discussions ongoing, the manager revealed that it would have been “too risky” to involve him in the European contest. “Negotiations are currently underway. A club is interested in signing him, and we felt it was too risky for both parties if he featured in the game,” Fink disclosed. Wolves Ready to Invest €20 Million in Arokodare Reports from multiple reputable European sources suggest that Wolverhampton Wanderers are already deep in negotiations with Genk for the prolific striker. The English club is reportedly prepared to spend €20 million to bring the 23-year-old to Molineux. Arokodare himself is said to be open to the transfer move, with the striker eager to test himself in the Premier League—widely regarded as the most competitive league in world football. Arokodare’s Record-Breaking Form in Belgium The Nigerian forward was a key figure for Genk last season, finishing as the Belgian Pro League top scorer with an impressive tally of 21 goals. His consistent scoring form and physical presence in attack have attracted attention from several clubs across Europe, but Wolves appear to be in pole position to secure his services. If completed, the deal will mark another success story for Nigerian footballers making a mark in Europe’s top leagues, continuing the legacy of stars such as Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi in England.
Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare is on the verge of completing a high-profile switch to Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves), in what could be one of the most notable transfer stories of the summer window. According to reliable Belgian publication HLN, Wolves are finalising a €25 million transfer bid for the talented Genk forward, who has been attracting interest from several top European clubs following his outstanding performances in Belgium. The 24-year-old attacker enjoyed a remarkable campaign last season, finishing as the top scorer in the Belgian Pro League. His clinical finishing, physical presence, and ability to link up play have made him a highly sought-after striker. Arokodare originally joined KRC Genk two years ago for a fee of around €5 million. Since then, his stock has risen significantly, with European heavyweights such as AC Milan and Napoli also closely monitoring his progress. However, it now appears that Wolverhampton Wanderers are leading the race to secure his signature. The Premier League club are pursuing Arokodare as a direct replacement for Jørgen Strand-Larsen, who is reportedly on the verge of sealing a move to Newcastle United before the transfer window closes. Wolves see the Nigerian international as a player capable of immediately making an impact in England’s top flight. Adding fuel to the transfer speculation, Arokodare was noticeably absent from Genk’s squad list for their upcoming UEFA Europa Conference League clash against Bulgarian side Lezh Poznan. The decision is believed to have been taken in order to avoid any injury risks that could jeopardize ongoing negotiations with Wolverhampton Wanderers. If the deal materialises, Arokodare will become another Nigerian talent making a name in the Premier League, joining the ranks of compatriots who have made significant contributions in English football. This potential move highlights both Wolves’ intent to strengthen their attacking options and Arokodare’s determination to take his career to the next level on a bigger stage.
