Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare sat down on the pitch and refused to leave, forcing new manager Cesar Peixoto to cancel Monday's training session. The 25-year-old Nigeria international demanded the club let him move to Fiorentina, according to BBC Sport, after Wolves rejected a bid from the Serie A side. Instead, the club had accepted an offer from Turkish club Trabzonspor.
Peixoto, who replaced Rob Edwards in a surprise move last month, terminated the session as Arokodare's protest unfolded. The striker was then omitted from Wednesday's friendly at Maidenhead United as Wolves continue their pre-season plans.
“Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare forced training cancellation after refusing to leave pitch, demanding move to Fiorentina.”
On social media on Wednesday evening, Arokodare wrote: "Throughout my career, I have always taken great pride in conducting myself professionally and maintaining the highest training standards. My commitment has always been to prepare myself as well as possible so that I can contribute to my team-mates and the club whenever I am called upon. I remain under contract with Wolves, and my only intention is to fulfil my responsibilities professionally by training, doing my job, and contributing to the team in accordance with that contract."
The latest incident is another flashpoint in the forward's career at Molineux after he was disciplined in April following a confrontation with young forward Mateus Mane. Arokodare signed for £24m from Genk last summer but scored just three league goals as Wolves finished bottom of the Premier League and were relegated.
It presents an early challenge for Peixoto just weeks into his reign. The 46-year-old, capped once by Portugal, moved from Gil Vicente and will be aiming to return Wolves to the Premier League at the first attempt.