Arokodare jokes about joining Madrid

Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare has cheekily said he may consider joining Spanish giants Real Madrid following reports linking him with a move away from the Belgian club RC Genk, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Arokodare, who was Genk’s leading scorer last season with 15 goals, has begun the 2024/25 season in fine form, scoring four goals in as many games for The Smurfs.

Over the weekend, the 23-year-old was the star of the show as his brace helped his team secure a historic 4-3 win over Beerschot, their first in over a decade.

His impressive stats in front of goals have made him a top target for Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor.

Arokodare has been pivotal to Genk’s resurgence, helping the Smurfs secure two straight victories following a slow start to the season.

Knowing the worth of the striker, Genk’s head coach, Thorsten Fink, recently made it clear that the club will only allow him to leave for the right offer, ruling out Trabzonspor.

“Trabzonspor cannot afford him,” the German told Het Belang van Limburg.

“We will not sell our top striker for small money, are we? Well, I have experience with these kinds of football matters and know how they go, but I have every confidence in our board and Dimitri de Condé. They decide who comes and goes and do that excellently.”

After his brace that earned the club their first win at the Olympisch Stadion in Antwerp in over 11 years, Arokodare addressed the rumours linking him with a move away from the club, saying he might join Madrid.

“I think I might go to Real Madrid. I hear they are still looking for a second striker next to Mbappé,” he said.

“No, just kidding. I have a contract with Genk, and I am focused on this club, not on rumours. Where do I see my future? I am not a clairvoyant. No idea, man.”

Since joining Genk, Arokodare has scored 12 league goals from 33 appearances.