Wolverhampton Wanderers are favourites to re-sign Bournemouth’s Benik Afobe, but West Brom are also keen.
It’s fair to say that Benik Afobe did not leave Molineux on the best of terms with Wolves supporters.
Despite plundering a hugely successful 22 goals in 46 Championship appearances as part of a thrilling, three-pronged attack with Bakary Sako and Nouha Dicko, that goodwill was tested to the limit when Afobe made it clear that he wanted to leave the Midlands midway through the 2015/16 season.
In the end, the one-time Arsenal prospect got his wish, signing for Bournemouth in exchange for £10 million, as reported by the Express and Star. For some, this signified the dispiriting loss of Wolves’ star man. To others, Afobe’s head had dropped and his exit was met with a rousing response of ‘good riddance’.
Benik Afobe was prolific for Wolves
Therefore, Sky Bet installing Wolves as 6/4 favourites to re-sign the powerful striker this summer make little sense – for both player and club.
Afobe may have been one of the most feared strikers in the Championship during his time with Wolves and, in truth, the current squad is crying out for a forward with his goal record. Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Nouha Dicko and Joe Mason netted just nine between them last season.
Yet, Afobe has burned his bridges in the eyes of some supporters. And while long-term grudges have no real place in modern football, Wolves need players proud to pull on the ‘old gold’.
Better option?
And though the 24-year-old has netted just 10 times in 46 games for Bournemouth, why would he simply accept defeat return to the second tier after fighting tooth and nail to earn his chance at the top level.
The Daily Mail claim that Tony Pulis’ West Brom are interested and their hopes could be boosted after the arrival of Jermain Defoe forced Afobe further down the pecking order.
A pacey, physical centre-forward adept at playing on the counter, Pulis’ old-fashioned tactics appear a better fit for Afobe than the pass-and-move philosophy instilled by Eddie Howe at Bournemouth.
In so many ways, West Brom appears a more logical option than Wolves for Afobe.
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