Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare has publicly addressed and dismissed what he described as “inaccurate” media reports suggesting he had caused a training session to be cancelled earlier this week. The 25-year-old Nigerian international was reported to have staged a protest on Monday at the club's training ground, allegedly refusing to leave the pitch in an attempt to push through a transfer to Italian club Fiorentina.
In a statement posted on social media, Arokodare expressed his surprise and disappointment at the claims. He emphasised his consistent professional conduct throughout his career and his dedication to maintaining high training standards. “My commitment has always been to prepare myself as well as possible so that I can contribute to my team-mates and the club whenever I am called upon,” he wrote, adding that he intends to fulfil his responsibilities professionally under his current contract with Wolves.
The controversy arises amid intense speculation surrounding Arokodare’s future at Molineux. New manager Cesar Peixoto notably omitted the striker from Wednesday’s friendly match against Maidenhead United. While reports suggest Wolves have accepted an offer from Turkish club Trabzonspor, a potential deal with Fiorentina is understood to have been rejected by the West Midlands club.
Arokodare joined Wolves last summer in a significant £24 million transfer from Belgian side Genk. His debut season saw him score three goals as the club endured a challenging campaign, ultimately resulting in their relegation from the Premier League. This isn't the first time the striker has been subject to disciplinary action, having been sanctioned by the club in April following an altercation with young forward Mateus Mane.
As Wolves prepare for their Championship campaign, which begins against Blackburn on Friday 14 August, the ongoing transfer saga and Arokodare's public response add another layer of complexity to their pre-season preparations. The club will be keen to resolve the situation swiftly to maintain focus ahead of their return to England's second tier.