KRK Genk striker Tolu Arokodare has revealed he is a Manchester United fan amid links with a surprise move to Old Trafford this summer.
The 6’6″ frontman is a target for the Red Devils as the club searches for a new number nine to bolster Ruben Amorim’s forward line.
Both of United’s senior strikers – Ramsmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee – struggled last season, combining for just seven goals in the Premier League.
A £30 million pursuit of Liam Delap failed after the England U-21 international rejected United’s advances in favour of a move to Chelsea. Similarly, Amorim is keen for a reunion with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres but the 27-year-old Swede is prioritising a switch to Arsenal over United.
The Reds have also expressed interest in Hugo Ekitike, Eintracht Frankfurt’s forward, but a deal is expected to be expensive and Liverpool are also on the hunt for the Frenchman.
It means United may be forced to shop in unfamiliar markets for an alternative option up front this summer – with Arokodare fitting the bill perfectly.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a superb campaign in Belgium, scoring 23 times in all competitions for Genk while providing a further seven assists, as he helped propel his side to the title last season. His intimidating stature allows Genk to target him directly as he can hold the ball up with ease and bring teammates in with good link-up play.
Amorim is known to prefer an imposing centre-forward who can act as a fulcrum for his team. But Arokodare retains surprising speed for such a tall frame, enabling him to stretch defences as well as hold them off.
United executives, Jason Wilcox (sporting director) and Christopher Vivell (head of recruitment), are both said to “appreciate” the Nigeria international after the club’s scouting team suggested him as a target.
And Arokodare could be available for as little as £20 million according to report relayed by The Peoples Person, with Liga Portugal side Benfica also in the hunt for the striker.
But, in an interview with SportsBoom (as relayed by The Metro), the 24-year-old revealed he is a boyhood United fan and it would be a “dream” to move to England.
“Obviously, it’s a dream to play in the Premier League, but I have my eyes on it for sure,’ he said. “Whatever options I have, I’ll take my time and make the best decision. I’m a Manchester United fan, and if it happens, it would mean a lot to me and my family.”
With a host of players arriving at the Theatre of Dreams in recent years who were drawn in by the wage packet rather than the Red shirt, it is refreshing to hear a potential signing refer to United’s hollowed ground in the same terms a fan in the stands would.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
