Fiorentina have stepped up their efforts to sign Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare after submitting an improved transfer proposal to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Soccernet.ng reports.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Serie A side have now offered a loan deal that includes a €22 million option-to-buy clause as they continue negotiations with the English club.
The new proposal comes only days after Wolves rejected Fiorentina’s first approach because it did not match the Championship club’s valuation of the player. Talks between both clubs are continuing as they work towards reaching a final agreement before the new season begins.
Arokodare is believed to be very interested in the move to Italy. The 25-year-old sees Fiorentina as the perfect place to rebuild his career after a difficult first season in England.
The Super Eagles forward has also attracted interest from Turkish club Trabzonspor, who submitted a formal offer. However, Arokodare turned down the chance to move to Turkey because he wants to continue playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
The striker joined Wolves from Belgian side KRC Genk last summer in a deal worth around £23.4 million, which was approximately €27 million. Expectations were high after his impressive spell in Belgium, but life in the Premier League proved much tougher.
Arokodare managed just three goals and one assist in 33 league appearances, with only 13 of those matches coming as starts. Wolves endured a disappointing campaign that ended in relegation to the EFL Championship, leading to major changes within the squad. As transfer talks gathered pace, Arokodare was left out of the club’s pre-season training camp in Portugal, adding further weight to reports that his departure is close.
Fiorentina hope fresh start can unlock Arokodare’s best form
Although Arokodare struggled to score consistently in England, Fiorentina believe there is still plenty of quality in the towering striker.
Standing at 1.97 metres (6ft 6in), the Nigerian offers a physical presence that few forwards can match. He ranked among Europe’s very best attackers for aerial duels won, making him a dangerous target for crosses and long passes. His strength and ability to hold up the ball could provide Fiorentina with a different attacking option.
The Serie A club are looking to strengthen their frontline after an underwhelming league campaign. Moise Kean finished as Fiorentina’s leading league scorer with eight goals, while Albert Gudmundsson scored five and Roberto Piccoli added three. Club officials believe Arokodare’s profile could add more variety to their attack.
The biggest reason Fiorentina remain confident is Arokodare’s record before joining Wolves. During the 2024-25 season at Genk, he scored an impressive 21 league goals in 40 matches and established himself Belgium league’s most dangerous centre-forward.
His finishing dipped sharply in England, where he scored fewer goals than expected based on the quality of chances he received. The Nigerian was also frequently used as a substitute, coming off the bench 20 times, making it difficult to build rhythm and confidence.
Fiorentina manager Fabio Grosso is reportedly searching for a powerful centre-forward capable of leading the line, bringing teammates into play and dominating defenders in the air. The Italian club believe a return to continental football and a different tactical system in Serie A could help Arokodare rediscover the goalscoring form that made him a nightmare for defenders in Belgium.
