De Telegraaf’s Valentijn Driessen has urged Ajax not to make Wolverhampton Wanderers‘ Tolu Arokodare’s stay permanent after signing him on loan from the Championship side in the summer.
The striker’s fine displays for KRC Genk [23 goals and seven assists] during the 2024/25 season convinced Wolves to bet on him in September 2025. However, he failed to extend his Genk form at Molineux.
Last season, he managed six goals and two assists from 38 matches as Wolves dropped out of the Premier League. He scored three goals in the top flight.
César Peixoto, who arrived in the summer, didn’t include the 25-year-old in his core plans. The pair even had a clash during the pre-season training over his refusal to leave the pitch.
Wolves man enjoying life at Ajax
The Championship side wanted to get rid of him and in July, the Dutch club secured his services on loan. The move has worked out well and he’s had a good start, scoring nine goals and contributing three assists in 14 matches.
Tolu Arokodare recently explained he’s enjoying life in Amsterdam. Ajax have secured a €20m purchase option with César Peixoto’s side. His impressive performances have seen them consider making his stay permanent.
Five days ago, Sport Witness relayed news of the Eredivisie side starting negotiations with Wolves to make his stay permanent. On Thursday, Algemeen Dagblad journalist Johan Inan stated it won’t be easy for Ajax to pay €20m.
He said: “Ajax has an option for €20m, but that is going to be a very difficult proposition. Especially if Ajax fail to qualify for the Champions League. If they do reach the Champions League, you know they’ll bring in tens of millions,in that scenario, exercising such an option might be possible. Even then, it would require a massive stretch.”
Warned about buying Wolves man
Ajax are second in the table, trailing leaders Feyenoord by three points. In De Telegraaf’s podcast, Kick-Off, Valentijn Driessen explains why the Dutch club shouldn’t buy Tolu Arokodare, and Voetbal Zone have relayed his comments.
“It is a very simple story. It states what he costs. And he will have a high salary, so that could make it a bit more complicated,” he said.
“This is a one-season wonder. He is a good lad as a twelfth or thirteenth man. But you don’t pay €20m for that. You pay €20m for a good striker, one you know for sure will score at least fifteen to twenty per season.”
The Nigeria international’s contract at Molineux lasts until 2029. If Ajax don’t make his stay permanent, he has to return to Wolves, where he’s unlikely to have a future. In that case, the frontman will be on the move again next summer.
