Nigeria striker Tolu Arokodare sparks transfer drama after halting Wolves training over Fiorentina move
Nigeria international Tolu Arokodare has found himself at the centre of a major transfer controversy after reportedly disrupting a Wolverhampton Wanderers training session in an effort to force a move to Italian club Fiorentina.
According to reports, the 25-year-old striker refused to leave the training pitch during Monday’s session, insisting that Wolves allow him to complete a transfer to the Serie A side. His protest reportedly forced newly appointed head coach Cesar Peixoto to call off training as preparations for the new season were interrupted.
The incident is said to have left the Championship club dealing with an unexpected distraction ahead of Wednesday’s pre-season friendly against Maidenhead United, with Arokodare reportedly excluded from the squad.
The transfer dispute follows Wolves’ decision to reject an offer from Fiorentina, despite reports that the club had accepted a separate bid from Turkish side Trabzonspor. The Nigerian forward is believed to favour a move to Italy instead.
This is not the first disciplinary issue involving Arokodare since his arrival at Molineux. Earlier this year, he was sanctioned after an altercation with teammate Mateus Mane, raising further questions about his relationship with the club.
Arokodare joined Wolves from Belgian outfit Genk in a deal worth around £24 million last summer. However, his first season in England proved challenging, as he scored just three Premier League goals while the club endured relegation to the Championship.
The situation presents an early challenge for Peixoto, who recently took charge of Wolves following the departure of Rob Edwards. The Portuguese coach is expected to lead the club’s campaign to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
Despite the growing speculation surrounding his future, Arokodare has not publicly commented on the reported training ground protest or the ongoing transfer negotiations.
The outcome of the transfer saga is likely to attract significant attention across Europe and Africa, with many Nigerian football fans closely following the Super Eagles forward’s next career move.
