Soccer
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 06: Tolu Arokodare of Wolves warms up prior to the FA Cup football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at Molineux stadium on March 06, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xNataliexMincher/SPPx Sportspressphoto_SPR103437
Tolu Arokodare’s Wolverhampton Wanderers have been officially relegated from the Premier League after a difficult 2025-26 season that never truly took off, Soccernet.ng reports.
Their fate was confirmed on Monday when results elsewhere left them unable to catch the teams above them, ending an eight-year stay in the top flight.
It has been a campaign defined by slow starts and missed chances. Wolves did not win a league game until January, leaving them with too much ground to recover. Even when results improved later in the season, including a draw against Arsenal and wins over Aston Villa and Liverpool, they remained rooted near the bottom.
A mid-season coaching change saw Rob Edwards replace Vítor Pereira, but the task proved too big. Wolves struggled at both ends of the pitch, conceding 61 goals and scoring just 24 in 33 matches, the worst goal difference in the league.
Relegation now means a reset in the Championship, with big decisions expected over the squad. For players like Tolu Arokodare, it raises a big question of whether to stay and rebuild, or move on.
Soccer Arokodare’s tough first year in England
Tolu Arokodare arrived from KRC Genk in September 2025 with high expectations after winning the Belgian league’s Golden Boot. But his first season in England did not go as planned.
The Nigerian striker made 28 league appearances, though more than half came from the bench. He scored just three goals and provided one assist, a modest return for a player signed to lead the line.
There were glimpses of promise. His first Premier League goal, a late header against Arsenal, showed his aerial strength, even if it came in defeat. He also played a part in a surprise win over Liverpool and looked sharper in cup matches, scoring twice in the EFL Cup.
However, consistency was a problem. Despite his 6ft 6in frame, Arokodare struggled to convert chances, with a low shot conversion rate highlighting his finishing difficulties. Like many of his teammates, he found it hard to adapt to the pace and intensity of the Premier League.
Off the pitch, matters became more complicated in recent days. Reports of a dressing-room altercation with teammate Mateus Mané after a heavy defeat to West Ham United led to disciplinary action. He was fined and later left out of the squad, adding uncertainty to his situation.
With Wolves relegated and looking to rebuild, his future at the club is far from clear.
Soccer Arokodare: The big decision ahead
At 25, Arokodare stands at an important point in his career. One option is to remain at Wolves and try to rediscover his form in the Championship. His physical style could suit the demands of that league, where strong, direct strikers often thrive.
With better service and more regular starts, he could rebuild confidence and scoring form, much like he did in Belgium. But staying would also mean repairing relationships within the squad and proving himself again to the coaching staff.
The other option is a move away. Several clubs across Europe are believed to be watching closely. Teams in Turkey, including Beşiktaş JK and Galatasaray SK, could offer him a fresh start in a competitive but less intense spotlight. In Italy, AC Milan have been linked with a possible interest in adding a physical striker.
There is also reported attention from within England and Germany, where clubs may see him as a long-term project with room to grow.
Wolves could be open to selling him as that would help recover part of the transfer fee they paid. Arokodare’s priority, though, will be finding the right environment to get his career back on track.
After a difficult debut season, the next move could define his future; whether that means leading a Championship charge or starting again elsewhere in Europe.
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