Ajax move in for unsettled Nigeria striker Arokodare on loan from Wolves

Ajax have reached an agreement to sign Nigeria forward Tolu Arokodare on an initial loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with an option to make the deal permanent for a fee slightly above €20m, according to OwnGoalNigeria.com.

The Dutch club, described as “giants” in the report, have stepped in to offer the 23-year-old an exit route from Wolves, where he has fallen out of favour and is pushing to leave before the close of the summer transfer window.

Arokodare, who joined Wolves last summer from Belgian side Genk, had already seen a proposed move to Serie A club Fiorentina collapse, a setback that is understood to have increased his determination to secure a transfer away from the English Championship side.

Training-row forward set for Amsterdam switch

The Nigeria international recently made headlines after a confrontation over training at Wolves. He insisted on taking part in a team session despite being told by the coach that he was not permitted to train with the squad, a standoff which led to the session being cancelled.

Against that tense backdrop, Ajax have now moved to add him to their attacking options. The agreement reported by OwnGoalNigeria.com is for a season-long loan, with Ajax retaining the right to sign him permanently next summer for a little over €20m.

The deal emerges amid a wider reshaping of the forward line at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Marcos Leonardo has already arrived, while Kasper Dolberg is expected to depart, leaving room for further reinforcements in attack.

Ajax rebuild attack after key departures

Ajax view Arokodare as an additional attacking weapon following a series of changes in their striking department.

Wout Weghorst has left the club on a free transfer and Chuba Akpom has not returned, leaving vacancies in the centre-forward positions. Don-Angelo Konadu is also available for a loan move, and Julian Rijkhoff is regarded as having no long-term future at the club.

In that context, Arokodare’s height, physical presence and profile as a “lanky forward” are seen as complementing the options already available to the Dutch side. Despite the recent signing of Marcos Leonardo, Ajax consider the Super Eagles striker an important extra option to deepen their attacking pool.

Other interest fails to materialise

Before Ajax moved decisively, Arokodare had attracted interest from elsewhere in Europe.

Turkish club Trabzonspor were one of the sides reported to be on the table as a possible destination, while another Serie A outfit, Genoa, were also credited with an interest in the Nigerian. However, neither potential move has progressed to the stage of an agreement.

The breakdown of his proposed transfer to Fiorentina appears to have been a key turning point in the player’s situation. The failed switch to Florence, coupled with his exclusion from full involvement in Wolves’ training, has reinforced his stance that he needs a new environment before the window shuts.

Loan with view to permanent transfer

OwnGoalNigeria.com previously reported Ajax’s interest in Arokodare last week. That interest has now crystallised into an agreement for a loan with an option to buy.

The structure of the deal gives Ajax the opportunity to assess Arokodare over the coming season while securing first option on a permanent transfer, should he impress in Amsterdam. For Wolves, it offers a resolution to an increasingly uncomfortable situation with a player keen to move on just a year after arriving from Genk.

The report, authored by Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman, underlines that all parties are now working towards finalising the move in time for the end of the summer window, with Ajax positioning Arokodare as part of their broader rebuilding of the club’s attack.