Tolu Arokodare’s transfer from Genk to Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer has drawn sharp criticism from within the club, with a source close to the Premier League side describing the €26 million deal as a poor decision that has failed to deliver on its promise.
The Nigerian international arrived at Molineux off the back of an impressive 2024/25 campaign at Genk, where he registered 23 goals and seven assists across 45 appearances — a return that attracted interest from multiple clubs before Wolves secured his signature. Despite the high expectations that accompanied his move, Arokodare has managed only six goals and two assists in 33 appearances this season, the majority of which have come from the substitutes’ bench.
According to a Molineux News report, a significant factor behind the striker’s limited impact may stem from internal tensions surrounding the transfer itself. The report indicates that former Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira, who began the season as manager, had not wanted Arokodare as part of his squad. It was reportedly Sporting Director Domenico Teti who pushed through the deal, ultimately compelling Pereira to accept the player despite the coach’s reservations. That friction, sources suggest, contributed to Arokodare’s lack of consistent playing time under the Portuguese manager.
Tom Procter of Molineux News was direct in his assessment of the situation, stating: “One man who now looks to be a very regrettable signing for Wolves is Tolu Arokodare.”
With Wolverhampton Wanderers’ relegation to the Championship now confirmed, the 24-year-old’s future at the club appears increasingly uncertain. Arokodare is widely expected to leave Molineux this summer, and he is reportedly attracting interest from Turkish Süper Lig clubs Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray — three of the country’s most prominent sides.
The circumstances surrounding Arokodare’s arrival highlight a broader issue at Wolves this season: a disconnect between recruitment decisions and the sporting structure on the pitch. When a player is signed against a manager’s wishes, the conditions for a successful integration are rarely in place from the outset, and Arokodare’s campaign appears to reflect exactly that dynamic.
For the Super Eagles striker, a summer exit would offer the opportunity to rebuild his reputation in a more favourable environment. His goal record at Genk demonstrated his capabilities at the highest level of Belgian football, and a move to Turkey’s top flight — where attacking players have historically thrived — could represent a viable path back to form. How Wolves navigate his departure, and at what fee, will be one of the key transfer questions surrounding the club as they prepare for life in the second tier of English football.
