Tremendous Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has revealed he was by no means Anderlecht’s first-choice signing, amid studies he twice rejected a transfer to the Belgian giants earlier than becoming a member of home rivals KRC Genk, Soccernet.ng studies.
The 24-year-old Nigerian, presently main the Belgian Professional League scoring charts, addressed claims that he snubbed Anderlecht’s strategy throughout two separate switch home windows.
Arokodare first rose to prominence at Valmiera in Latvia, the place his constant goalscoring performances caught the attention of a number of golf equipment throughout Europe.
At that time, Anderlecht expressed curiosity, however Arokodare as an alternative opted for a transfer to the Bundesliga with FC Köln. His time in Germany, nonetheless, was underwhelming and short-lived.
Following a extra promising stint in France with SC Amiens, Anderlecht reignited their curiosity. However the Lagos-born striker as soon as once more took a distinct path — this time becoming a member of KRC Genk in January 2023, reportedly in a €5 million deal.
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What Tremendous Eagles star Arokodare mentioned of Anderlecht curiosity
Anderlecht have since advised that their failure to signal the Nigerian was all the way down to tensions together with his agent, Didier Frenay. However Arokodare has now set the file straight.
“I used to be definitely not Anderlecht’s first selection. They might have let me keep if a striker increased up within the pecking order had taken the bait,” he instructed Het Nieuwsblad, by way of Voetbal Belgie.
The choice has confirmed fruitful. Arokodare is now valued at €13 million by Transfermarkt and has attracted curiosity from golf equipment in Europe’s prime 5 leagues. Genk are believed to be holding out for a payment at the least 5 instances their unique funding.
His excellent type for Genk earned him a maiden call-up to the Nigeria nationwide group in March.
Arokodare made his Tremendous Eagles debut in a 2-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali and featured once more within the 1-1 draw towards Zimbabwe, the place he performed a key position in Nigeria’s solely purpose of the match.
With 18 targets to his identify this season, Arokodare is having fun with a breakout 12 months in Belgium and has firmly positioned himself on the radar of main European golf equipment—regardless of not being Anderlecht’s prime goal.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns right into a ball of ardour when writing about Nigerian soccer and its abilities, whether or not rising stars or established legends, regionally and overseas.
From the deepest corners of the Center East, to the inexperienced fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the wealthy soils of Africa, Imhons is greater than glad, normally with a glass of a tasty drink close by, to seize the essence of the sport, by connecting the dots between tradition, id, and soccer.