Tolu Arokodare Reveals Why He Rejected Offer From Turkey

Genk and Nigerian forward Tolu Arokodare, has revealed that he decided not to join Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor during the summer transfer window due to the club’s low prestige.

Tolu Arokodare was on the verge of completing a move to the Black Sea Storm but ultimately opted to remain with Genk, a decision influenced by his current coach, Thorsten Fink.

In an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws, Arokodare said, “Indeed, I was almost gone, but (Thorsten) Fink convinced me to stay.”

He continued, “Look, I didn’t really want to go to Turkey. At my age, you should only make such moves if it’s to clubs like Galatasaray, Besiktas, or Fenerbahçe, which hold significant prestige. However, as discussions progressed, I began to consider the possibility more seriously.”

This season, Arokodare has made a notable impact in the Belgian league, having already netted nine goals for Genk.

Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon’s president, Frederico Varandas, has laid down a significant condition concerning the potential departure of forward Viktor Gyökeres at the end of the current season, especially amid the growing interest from clubs such as Manchester United.

Gyökeres, who is 26 years old, has attracted attention due to his stellar performances, particularly because he might reunite with his former manager Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. However, the Sporting president has made it clear that for Gyökeres to leave, an interested club must meet his release clause.

Varandas commented on the situation, stating, “I can’t promise anything. If a club arrives and pays the release clause, and if he expresses a desire to leave, he will go.”

He added, “But I do not think this will happen in January,” indicating that while the interest is there, a move may not be imminent.