Arsenal had 17 clubs interested in signing me says Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Benik Afobe

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Benik Afobe says up to 17 clubs were interested in acquiring his services during the January transfer window before he swapped Arsenal for Molineux.

Afobe moved to the Championship side in January and has since netted five goals in seven appearances, his latest contribution coming in the 5-0 thumping of Rotherham United on 21 February.

The 22-year-old went on six Football League loan spells, including at Reading and Milton Keynes Dons, before securing a permanent move away from Arsenal after failing to make a breakthrough into the first team.

The England youth international did not make a single senior appearance in five years as a professional at Arsenal, yet the forward says over a dozen sides, including two from the Premier League, were interested in his services during the mid-season window.

"Two Premier League clubs wanted me and about 15 Championship clubs showed an interest," he told the Wolverhampton Express and Star.

"But I didn't want to go to the Premier League, not play and end up back out on loan [like at Arsenal].

"Sometimes the quicker you go up, the quicker you come back down. I had plenty of options but when I spoke to the manager [Kenny Jackett] here I liked what he had to say.

"He told me he wasn't going to put pressure on me to come here but he said he had plans for me and he didn't expect me to be a bit-part player.

"He told me I'm a player he likes and that he'd been watching me at MK Dons and he thought I'd grown and improved since he had me at Millwall.

"He also said he thinks I'm a good lad to have around the place and I can help the team improve. I spoke to my family and agent and I came to the decision I wanted to come to Wolves.

"The manager spoke to my dad and he made me feel very welcome both on and off the pitch. The fans have also been fantastic. It all feels like a bit of a fairytale and I don't want it to end."