By Olatunbosun Obafemi
Belgian club Genk appear to be bracing for the departure of in-form Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare, following the announcement of Aaron Bibout’s arrival from Swedish side Västerås SK.
Arokodare, 23, is coming off the best season of his career, having scored 23 goals and provided seven assists in 45 appearances across all competitions. His stellar performances earned him a maiden call-up to Nigeria’s national team and the prestigious Ebony Shoe award. His market value has since soared to €18 million, with reports suggesting Genk could demand as much as €25 million for his transfer.
The former Amiens forward has been linked with several top clubs across Europe, including Manchester United, Fulham, Atalanta, and Benfica. However, no deal has materialised yet.
In what seems to be a preemptive move, Genk have completed the €2.2 million signing of 20-year-old Cameroonian striker Aaron Bibout. Standing at 6ft 4in, Bibout mirrors Arokodare’s physical profile and brings a decent scoring record from Sweden, with 36 goals and nine assists in 85 matches.
While Arokodare’s future remains uncertain, Bibout’s signing signals Genk’s readiness to part ways with their star forward this summer. With two years left on his contract, the club holds a strong bargaining position and is expected to drive a hard deal for any potential suitors.
Arokodare’s next destination is yet to be confirmed, but the door is clearly open for interested clubs. The coming weeks could be decisive, as transfer interest intensifies and Genk aim to secure maximum value from any deal.
