LEGANES, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 05: Gonzalo Garcia of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Copa del Rey match between CD Leganes and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Municipal de Butarque on February 05, 2025 in Leganes, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
£1.7m Wrexham-linked defender now looks set for Stoke City transfer, he’s ‘studying’ their offer
Wrexham are in the market for a new central defender this summer, but one target appears to be nearing a move to Stoke City.
Wrexham snapped up Danny Ward on Tuesday, completing a deal to sign the goalkeeper on a free transfer.
Ward has penned a three-year deal with Wrexham and joins to offer competition for Arthur Okonkwo.
Phil Parkinson’s attention will now turn to further signings, though Tom Cairney is expected to snub Wrexham.
Parkinson appears to be keen on signing a new central defender, and Craig Dawson is on Wrexham’s wish list.
Wrexham look set to miss out on Maksym Talovierov
Ryan Hardie joined Wrexham from Plymouth Argyle in June, and one of his former Pilgrims teammates has also been on Parkinson’s radar.
Reports in May suggested that Wrexham were interested in Maksym Talovierov following Argyle’s relegation to League One.
The Ukrainian centre-back only joined Argyle in January, making the move from Austrian side LASK.
Talovierov quickly became a fan favourite at Home Park and his warrior-like displays have, unsurprisingly, resulted in interest.
Wrexham may have fancied Talovierov as a significant addition in the heart of Parkinson’s back three, but he looks to be nearing a move elsewhere in the Championship.
Reporter Pete O’Rourke claims that Stoke City are closing in on the signing of Talovierov.
Mark Robins is looking to carve out a first top-half finish for Stoke since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018.
Talovierov could be a crucial addition for the Potters, and the 25-year-old looks to be another name to cross off the list of potential Wrexham signings.
Maksym Talovierov on his future
Argyle paid around £1.7million, as noted by the Plymouth Herald, to sign Talovierov earlier this year.
The centre-back may well have a relegation release clause, but Argyle will hope to at least make their money back on any sale.
Talovierov has now commented on his future, admitting that he is considering Stoke’s offer but, at the time of speaking, he was still in Plymouth.
“There is interest, but I am studying the offer and am currently in Plymouth,” Talovierov said when speaking to Tribuna in his native Ukraine.
There may still be time for Wrexham to hijack the deal if Parkinson really wants Talovierov, but Stoke appears to be his destination.
If Talovierov gets the move over the line, he would face Wrexham on October 18 in Stoke, and on April 18 2026 at the STōK Cae Ras.
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