Tolu Arokodare’s decision to stay at Genk this summer might have shocked many, especially after he was reportedly close to sealing a move to Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor.
What made the forward turn down the chance to play in Turkey’s top flight?
The answer lies in a promise made by Genk’s coach, Thorsten Fink, which reignited Arokodare’s aspirations for a bigger stage—his Premier League dream, Footballrover reports.
Arokodare’s move to Trabzonspor seemed almost certain as the summer transfer window drew to a close. However, the Nigerian striker chose to remain with the Belgian side.
At the heart of this decision was the confidence instilled in him by Coach Fink, whose words gave Arokodare a renewed sense of purpose.
Initially, Arokodare was leaning toward the move, feeling that his time at Genk had run its course.
He was frustrated with the lack of positive energy around him, often feeling as though his efforts were falling short.
The financial offer from Trabzonspor was tempting, but Arokodare wasn’t entirely sold on the idea of playing in Turkey.
He believed that if a move to the Turkish league was to happen, it should only be to a top-tier club like Galatasaray, Besiktas, or Fenerbahçe.
Tolu Arokodare’s Premier League dream: the promise that changed everything
It was Coach Fink’s words that ultimately convinced Arokodare to stay. Fink reassured him that he didn’t see the young striker as a fit for the Turkish league.
Instead, he encouraged him to remain at Genk for one more year, hinting that it could open the door to a Premier League move.
This offer of opportunity struck a chord with Arokodare, fuelling his Premier League dream and boosting his confidence for the season ahead.
The Nigerian forward was quoted by Het Laatste Nieuw, saying,
“It’s true that I was almost gone, but Thorsten Fink (Genk coach) convinced me to stay.
“Look, I didn’t really want to go to Turkey. At my age, you should only do that if it’s Galatasaray, Besiktas, and Fenerbahçe. Yet at some point I started considering it.”
“Why? Because there was no more positive energy around me. I felt like I couldn’t do anything right anymore. Financially, I could also do a good thing.”
“Fink reassured me completely. He didn’t think I was a player for Turkey. ‘Stay with me for one year, and you’ll be in the Premier League’, he said. Something like that gives you a lot of confidence.”
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