Arokodare’s Breakthrough at Wolves Triggers Teammate Exit

Tolu Arokodare’s surge into Wolverhampton Wanderers’ starting lineup in recent Premier League matches is reportedly prompting a squad reshuffle, with fellow striker Jørgen Strand Larsen expected to be moved on as Wolves look to refresh their front-line amid a difficult season.

Arokodare has started Wolves’ last two league games and played a key role in their recent first win of the campaign, earning trust from manager Rob Edwards and fans alike. Meanwhile, Strand Larsen who scored 14 goals in his debut season — has struggled for form and game time, paving the way for links with Nottingham Forest as Wolves consider sales to reshape the squad.

Editorial

Football is a sport of fine margins and shifting fortunes, none more so than in the cauldron of the English Premier League. At Wolverhampton Wanderers, where momentum has been scarce and anxiety abundant, the rise of Tolu Arokodare into regular contention has become a defining subplot of the club’s narrative this season.

Arokodare’s elevation to the starting XI is more than a matter of rotation it reflects the imperatives of a team in search of answers. In a campaign marked by mounting pressure and a long wait for victory, the Nigerian striker’s physicality and presence have offered a renewed sense of purpose albeit one still seeking statistical yield. Yet, it is these intangible traits, more than goals alone, that have earned him the confidence of Rob Edwards and the Wolves faithful.

The potential departure of Jørgen Strand Larsen a striker with a respectable 14-goal tally last term speaks to the unforgiving calculus of elite sport. Football is as much about form as reputation when one player seizes opportunity, others must adapt, relocate or risk stagnation. Wolves’ interest in offloading Strand Larsen to clubs such as Nottingham Forest represents not merely a personnel shift, but a philosophical one seeking freshness over familiarity, momentum over memory.

In this milieu, Arokodare’s breakthrough serves as a reminder that opportunity in football arrives not with ceremony but with necessity. Yet, a breakthrough is only half the story. The true test — the one that separates promise from permanence will be his ability to translate trust into consistent impact. For Wolves, and for Arokodare, the coming weeks will tell whether this moment is an inflection point or an isolated vantage in an otherwise arduous campaign.

Did You Know?

1. Arokodare joined Wolves from Racing Genk in September 2025 on a multi-year deal worth around £23.4 million, making him one of the club’s more significant summer signings.
2. He scored Wolves’ equaliser in a thrilling 2–1 EPL match against Arsenal, marking his first Premier League goal for the club.
3. Despite early struggles adapting to the Premier League, Wolves have looked to integrate Arokodare gradually, with his breakthrough coming late in the 2025/26 season.
4. Last season in Belgium’s top flight with Genk, Arokodare was one of the league’s most prolific scorers, hitting 21 goals and winning the Ebony Shoe as best African player in Belgium.
5. Arokodare’s increased involvement is part of Wolves’ broader attempt to reinvigorate a struggling squad — they had endured one of the longest winless runs in the league before securing their first victory with his help.