Burnley are close to finalising a deal for Montpellier defender Maxime Esteve with the centre-half set to swap Ligue 1 for the Premier League for a deal worth around £10 million.
EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Clarets boss Vincent Kompany tends to speak openly about his transfer plans and, when the subject of Maxime Esteve was brought up during his Tuesday press conference, the former Manchester City captain was typically forthcoming.
“I think we’re past the point where I can deny there has been interest, right?,” Kompany told the Burnley Express. “But the point is, he is not our player.”
That should change, however, with Esteve expected to become a Burnley man before this week’s transfer deadline. HITC Football has been informed that Burnley are set to seal a deal worth £10 million, with the Frenchman first arriving on loan with an obligation-to-buy clause in his Turf Moor contract.
Esteve, we understand, will sign a four-year deal in Lancashire, with the terms of the arrangement agreed in principle.
Burnley near deal with Montpellier’s Maxime Esteve
The Montpellier stopper, unsurprisingly given his 6ft 4ins frame, is renowned for his aerial prowess and should provide an injection quality to a Burnley defence which statistically ranks as the second-worst in the Premier League. Only bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United have been breached with more regularity in 2023/24.
Montpellier coach Michel der Zakarian confirmed a couple of days ago, meanwhile, that an agreement for Esteve was likely to become official at the start of this week, the homegrown 21-year-old making what is likely to have been a farewell appearance for his hometown club during Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Lille.
“If he leaves, he will leave Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday,” Der Zakarian said. “My wish is that he stays here.
If the club has a good offer and he has to leave, we will have to be able to replace him and we will wish him well wind and good luck.
“He is not at all disturbed (by the speculation).”
Clarets close in on £10 million deal
HITC has been told that Burnley have also made an offer for Coventry City talisman Callum O’Hare. The former Aston Villa youngster, who has often been likened to Jack Grealish, was also a target for The Clarets before suffering a serious knee injury back in 2022.
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