- Crystal Palace eyeing Maxime Esteve
- Liverpool and Chelsea also keen
- Burnley expect to sell Frenchman
Crystal Palace are reportedly rivalling Liverpool and Chelsea in the race to sign Burnley defender Maxime Esteve. The French centre-back is said to be a long-term target and remains on the club’s radar.
According to TEAMtalk, Palace are among the clubs closely monitoring Esteve’s progress at Turf Moor. The Eagles, along with Liverpool and Chelsea, hold “strong admiration” for the Clarets centre-back.
Esteve is likely to be on the move this summer following his side’s relegation. His club are “resigned to the prospect of losing the Frenchman”, who has four years left on his contract.
Crystal Palace eye Esteve
Palace hadn’t been expected to be in the market for a new centre-back as the season progressed. Jaydee Canvot’s superb debut campaign led many to downplay the need for a new defender.
That said, Esteve’s availability may well entice the South Londoners who will be signing players for a new manager this summer. As it currently stands, Pierre Sage is the red-hot favourite to replace Oliver Glasner.
The report claims that there is an expectation that bids for Esteve will arrive this summer. Liverpool’s stance is that, while they are admirers, no concrete move will be made until discussions are held between new head coach Andoni Iraola and sporting director Richard Hughes.
Sage, if appointed, and Steve Parish might have similar talks over planning for the summer transfer window. That could include whether the French coach feels there’s a need to sign a new centre-back.
Esteve is one of several defenders to be linked with Palace ahead of the window opening on June 15th. His experience of English football, along with his ‘exceptional‘ performances for Burnley over the years.
Not needed
Palace don’t need a new centre-back unless one of the current four central defensive options departs. The likelihood of that happening is slim despite recent rumours circulating over a potential Maxence Lacroix transfer.
The Eagles have qualified for the Europa League and all four centre-backs played an important role in the UEFA Conference League triumph. Lacroix, Chris Richards, Canvot and Chadi Riad were superb en route to the final and in the 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig.
Esteve is a highly rated defender who has proven to be a gem during his time with Burnley. But is he better than the South Londoners’ back-three who started the majority of games last season? Probably not.
