Former Turkish Super Lig champions Besiktas have joined the suitors of Genk striker Tolu Arokodare in the summer transfer window, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Arokodare, who scored his first goal for Nigeria during the 1-1 draw against Russia in an international friendly on Friday is attracting interest from different parts of Europe.
The Genk star is coming off a very big season in Belgium where he scored 23 goals and seven assists in 45 appearances.
He also won the Jupiler Pro League’s top scorer award as well as the Ebony Shoe as the best African player in Belgium.
According to Transfer Feed, Besiktas have started monitoring Arokodare and could try to get him this summer.
The sporting director of Genk, Dimitri De Condé, has revealed that the Nigerian striker is set for a mega move away from the club when the summer transfer window opens.
“I estimate the chance of a possible departure of our top scorer at 99%. There is no concrete offer on the table yet, but there is a huge demand from brokers who want to act as an intermediary. From experience, I say he’s leaving. Arokodare is very well in the market and is also ready to take the next step.”
The 24-year-old, who joined Genk from French side Amiens in January 2023 for a reported €500,000 fee, is currently valued at €13m and it is understood that Genk will demand far more than that before letting him leave.
The striker also talked up the chances of playing in the EPL as well as Bayern Munich.
“The future isn’t written yet,” he said.
“But like many players, it’s a dream of mine to play in the Premier League one day.
“If the opportunity comes, I have to make sure I’m ready. You don’t know how many times a train will pass, so I don’t want to miss any opportunities,” Arokodare told Het Laatste Nieuws.
He also talks up the possibility of playing with Harry Kane before denying the rumours.
“That I would be the stand-in for Harry Kane? Yes. That would be nice, wouldn’t it? It’s still rumours, I haven’t had any contact.”
