Trabzonspor have become the first club to make a concrete move for Tolu Arokodare, submitting an official loan offer to Wolverhampton Wanderers for the Super Eagles striker.
According to Turkish journalist Zeki Uzundurukan, the Black Sea club are pushing for a season-long loan deal as they look to strengthen their attack ahead of the new Super Lig campaign.
Wolves are currently evaluating the proposal, and no agreement has been reached at this stage. The Nigerian forward’s representatives are said to be actively involved in exploring a move away from Molineux this summer.
Wolves are understood to prefer a permanent sale rather than a loan, as they look to recover a large part of the reported 24 million pounds they paid Genk to sign Arokodare last year. His current valuation has made a straightforward permanent transfer difficult for suitors, leaving a temporary loan the more realistic path for now. With three years still left on his contract, Wolves are under no pressure to rush a decision.
Arokodare struggled to establish himself during his debut campaign at Molineux, making 33 Premier League appearances but starting only 13 of them. He scored six goals in 38 matches across all competitions, with three coming in the league, as Wolves suffered relegation to the Championship at the end of last season after eight consecutive years in the top flight.
The Nigerian was also involved in a reported dressing room incident with team-mate Mateus Mane following a heavy defeat at West Ham, which led to a club fine. Wolves have since replaced Rob Edwards with new head coach Cesar Peixoto, who has already brought in experienced additions like Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez as the club target an immediate return to the Premier League.
Trabzonspor are not alone in the chase. Besiktas have reportedly been tracking Arokodare for months and had a verbal offer worth around 15 million euros turned down by Wolves, while also enlisting the help of former Nigeria international Daniel Amokachi and Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi to persuade the striker that a move to Turkey would suit his career.
Galatasaray have also been credited with interest, reportedly asking Victor Osimhen to help convince his compatriot to join them in Istanbul, while Fenerbahce continue exploring the English market for attacking reinforcements and view Arokodare as one of their leading targets.
Trabzonspor see the 24 year old as a possible replacement for fellow Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu, who could leave the club this summer amid interest from several other sides,
A move to the Super Lig would add another Nigerian face to a league already well stocked with Super Eagles talent, with Ndidi at Besiktas and Onuachu currently at Trabzonspor. Arokodare has been capped by Nigeria at senior level and remains among the most sought after Nigerian forwards in this summer’s market, with four Turkish giants now showing direct or indirect interest in his signature.
The coming weeks are expected to be crucial as Trabzonspor, Besiktas and Fenerbahce continue their efforts to convince both Wolves and the player before the new season begins. With Wolves holding no urgency to sell and Arokodare already back in pre-season training at Compton, his final destination remains unresolved, though a loan move to Turkey currently looks like the most likely outcome.
