Wolves cancel training and send in security after Arokodare pitch stand-off

Wolves were forced to call off a first-team training session and bring in additional security at their Compton Park base after Nigeria striker Tolu Arokodare reportedly refused to leave the pitch during a confrontation on Monday.

The Championship club abandoned the session amid what sources have described as an “extraordinary stand-off” between the forward and staff, underlining growing tensions following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

Arokodare, 23, has since been left out of the squad travelling to a pre-season friendly against National League side Maidenhead United, throwing his future at Molineux into serious doubt.

Security called and session abandoned

The incident unfolded at Wolves’ Compton Park training ground, where new head coach Peixoto has been enforcing stricter disciplinary rules in the wake of the club’s drop into the second tier.

Club staff are understood to have requested that Arokodare leave the pitch during the session. When he allegedly refused, the session was halted and extra security staff were deployed, and the rest of the first-team squad were withdrawn from the field.

Wolves have not publicly commented in detail on the events, but the decision to cancel the session and omit Arokodare from their next pre-season fixture is being seen internally as a clear escalation in the disciplinary stance under Peixoto.

Striker’s future in serious doubt

Arokodare’s position at the club was already fragile before Monday’s confrontation.

The Nigerian international joined Wolves from Belgian side Genk in a £23.4m move but struggled to make an impact in his debut Premier League campaign, scoring only three league goals in 33 appearances as Wolves finished bottom and were relegated.

The poor season prompted the departure of head coach Rob Edwards, with Portuguese coach Peixoto appointed to lead a reset ahead of the new Championship campaign.

Reports in Portugal and Italy suggest Peixoto does not view Arokodare as part of his long-term plans. The forward had already been omitted from Wolves’ pre-season training camp in Portugal, a decision widely interpreted as an indication he was being pushed towards the exit.

Transfer interest from Europe

Despite his difficult year in England, Arokodare is attracting interest across Europe.

Serie A sides Fiorentina and Genoa are among the clubs reportedly monitoring his situation, while Turkish outfit Trabzonspor have also been linked with a possible move.

Any transfer would mark a swift end to one of Wolves’ more expensive recent signings, with the club likely to face a decision over whether to recoup as much of the original £23.4m fee as possible or retain a player currently out of favour with the new manager.

Rebuild under Peixoto gathers pace

The Arokodare episode comes at a pivotal time for Wolves as they attempt to rebuild for life in the Championship.

Peixoto has introduced tighter discipline and is reshaping the squad following relegation, with fringe players and underperforming signings expected to be moved on before the transfer window closes.

Pre-season fixtures, including the trip to Maidenhead United, are viewed as key opportunities for the new coach to assess his options. Arokodare’s exclusion from these preparations, combined with the training ground confrontation, appears to leave little room for reintegration.

With the new season approaching, Wolves now face the challenge of managing a high-profile disciplinary flashpoint while trying to stabilise a squad still reeling from the drop out of the Premier League.