Wolves Agree £23m Deal for Genk Striker Tolu Arokodare – Medical Scheduled

Wolverhampton Wanderers are on the verge of completing a significant piece of transfer business, with highly-rated Nigerian forward Tolu Arokodare set to arrive from Belgian side Genk. According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the 24-year-old striker has agreed terms with Wolves, with a medical already booked for this weekend.

The West Midlands outfit will pay a fee in the region of €27 million (£23.3m) to secure the deal, making Arokodare one of their most expensive signings in recent years. He will become Vítor Pereira’s seventh new addition of the summer window, and perhaps the most vital, given Wolves’ long-standing issues in front of goal.

A Rising Star in Belgium

Arokodare has enjoyed a meteoric rise in Europe over the past two seasons. The towering six-foot-four striker was a standout performer in the Belgian Pro League last campaign, where he finished as joint-top scorer with 21 goals. His consistency and ability to deliver in high-pressure matches attracted interest from several clubs across the continent, including reported monitoring by Manchester United, but Wolves have now won the race for his signature.

Beyond club level, the Lagos-born forward has also made strides internationally. With four caps for Nigeria, he has been tipped as one of the Super Eagles’ most promising attacking prospects. His aerial strength, physicality, and ability to hold up play offer Wolves something different to their current forward options.

Wolves’ Transfer Strategy

Romano confirmed the deal on his X account, writing:
“Wolves agree deal in principle to sign Tolu Arokodare as new striker from Genk, here we go! €27m (£23.3m) fee agreed with Genk tonight and medical booked on Saturday for Wolves’ new striker. New important addition for Wolves.”

The move comes after Wolves had earlier pursued a deal for Getafe striker Christantus Uche, but that transfer collapsed when the player declined a switch to Molineux. Rather than give up, Wolves quickly turned their attention to Arokodare, a player they have been tracking for several months.

No Impact on Strand Larsen’s Future

Interestingly, Wolves’ move for Arokodare is not connected to the future of Jorgen Strand Larsen, who has been strongly linked with a big-money transfer to Newcastle United. Wolves have already rejected two formal bids from the Magpies, the latest being worth £55 million, and remain adamant that the Norwegian forward is not for sale. The club instead see Arokodare as an additional attacking weapon rather than a replacement.

Filling the Void Left by Cunha

With the departure of last season’s top scorer Matheus Cunha, Pereira has been keen to bolster his frontline options. The Wolves boss is hopeful that Arokodare can step in immediately and provide a much-needed boost after a difficult start to the campaign, which has seen defeats against Manchester City and Bournemouth.

The Nigerian’s arrival will not only strengthen competition for places but also give Wolves a focal point who can thrive in both open play and set-piece situations. His mix of power and poacher’s instinct could prove decisive as Wolves aim to steer clear of another relegation scrap and push higher up the Premier League table.

If all goes to plan with his medical and paperwork, Tolu Arokodare will be unveiled as Wolves’ latest signing early next week, and supporters will be eager to see him make an impact at Molineux as soon as possible.