Maksym Talovierov breaks silence as Stoke City try to sign Plymouth Argyle ace, ‘there is interest, but…’

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Stoke City are trying to capitalise on Plymouth Argyle’s relegation from the Championship as Mark Robins’ side close in on one of League One’s best central defenders.

Plymouth Argyle have been in a period of transition following their relegation from the Championship to League One, both in the dugout and the dressing room.

Tom Cleverley replaced Miron Muslic as Argyle boss, with the former Watford head coach facing a testing first few weeks in post at Home Park as his transfer vultures circle over his squad.

Wrexham signed Ryan Hardie after his standout campaign in front of goal for Argyle, Bristol City signed Adam Randell, who departs his boyhood club, and Michael Baidoo has left Plymouth on loan to Qatari outfit Umm Salal SC.

As well as these departures, Cleverley will undoubtedly fear losing Maksym Talovierov, with second tier Stoke City “trying” to sign the defender, who has now broken his silence on the potential Stoke move.

• READ MORE: Tom Cleverley reveals his first impressions of Plymouth Argyle squad, a ‘mentality change’ is clear

Plymouth Argyle’s Maksym Talovierov breaks silence on Stoke links

News emerged earlier this week that Stoke are set to sign Talovierov from Plymouth amid the summer transfer window, on the back of his standout season at the heart of Argyle’s defence.

Talovierov made 13 appearances in an Argyle jersey since his mid-season move, scoring two goals and notching one assist, with one of those goals opening the scoring against Manchester City in the FA Cup defeat at The Etihad.

The towering Ukrainian defender arrived at Plymouth in the January window, and cemented himself as one of the Championship’s best defenders under Muslic’s tutelage, but could not do enough to see Argyle survive relegation.

When Talovierov discussed his Plymouth future in the wake of relegation, it appeared as though the 25-year-old was open to staying for the League One title fight, but the offer of Championship football again has tempted the centre-back.

EFL Analysis Chief Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey, has told us that Stoke are ‘trying’ to get the deal done and that they are in talks with Plymouth.

Amid the Stoke links, Talovierov has now broken his silence. He told Ukrainian outlet Tribuna: “There is interest but I am studying the offer and I’m currently in Plymouth.”

If Stoke’s pursuit of Talovierov does materialise, Robins’ Potters will have secured the services of one of the third tier’s best central defenders, who will be a major coup for Stoke ahead of the 2025/26 Championship season.

Departed Argyle boss Muslic was waxing lyrical about Talovierov throughout last season, and his appraisal will be extremely exciting for the Potters faithful.

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Stoke City target Maksym Talovierov has Premier League potential

After his £1.7m arrival from LASK in January, Talovierov’s physical profile and resolute defensive displays led former Argyle boss Muslic to claim that the Ukrainian has the qualities to play in the Premier League in the future.

After Plymouth’s loss to Man City, Muslic told the BBC: “His goal was the summary of his performance and his character,

“A straight guy, big heart, big passion, loves to defend, loves to give his all, he just fits perfectly to the type of player and character I was looking for.

“He played an excellent game defensively and also a beautiful header. It is a Premier League goal and I think he has the potential for this.”

Stoke were last in the top flight in 2018, and Robins will be hoping to bounce back from flirting with relegation last season and push towards the top half of the table in the coming campaign.

With that ambition in mind, the stature, abilities, and presence of imminent Stoke signing Talovierov could catapult the Potters towards their target.