David Moyes and Everton run the rule over Burnley FC star ahead of potential summer swoop | OneFootball

Moyes made a visit to watch the defender against Bristol City.

Burnley centre-back Maxime Esteve is being tracked by David Moyes and Everton with a view to a potential summer move.

According to reports from Alan Nixon, the Scot made a personal visit to watch Esteve in Burnley’s clash with Bristol City on Saturday, a game the Clarets won 1-0.

Astonishingly, that was Scott Parker’s side’s 28th clean sheet of the season, a tally which currently sits seven higher than Leeds United, who are their closest challengers in that department.

With a defensive record as strong as that, it comes as no surprise that there is Premier League interest in some of the members of Burnley’s backline and, although he struggled in the top flight last term, Esteve has been excellent all season in the Championship.

Everton have the money to get Burnley's Esteve

Since taking over for his second spell at Goodison Park back in January, Moyes has overseen a remarkable turnaround at Everton of late.

The Toffees are unbeaten in their last nine league games and, although that run includes draws in each of their last four outings, Moyes has certainly made them a much tougher proposition to face.

With that in mind, it looks as though he will be backed by the club’s hierarchy in the summer, especially considering they are finally set to move into their new stadium.

Nixon understands that money will be made available to Moyes, should he be able to find the right players, and it’s believed the Scotsman could be in the market for a couple of new centre halves over the summer.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that he is targeting a potential move for Esteve, who has been imperious for Burnley at times.

The Frenchman has won 79 aerial duels, more than any other Clarets defender, and is yet to miss a single game of the league campaign.

He has been a crucial part of the defence that Scott Parker has built his team’s success upon, and it would be no surprise at all if he was playing Premier League football one way or another next term.

Promotion could be crucial for Burnley's chances of keeping Esteve

As is perennially the case for most teams in the upper reaches of the Championship, achieving promotion will likely hold the key for Burnley to potentially be able to keep some of their star men.

The Clarets lost no less than 20 players during the transfer window last summer, with other teams raiding them after their relegation from the Premier League.

You get the feeling once again that top flight football will be critical if Burnley want to keep promising talents like Esteve at their club.

The likes of Luca Koleosho (pictured) and James Trafford have also been subject to interest in recent weeks and Burnley must surely be worried about losing some of their key men if they are forced to settle for Championship football again next season.

While a return to the Premier League certainly wouldn’t provide any guarantees of keeping some of their more impressive talents, it would at least allow them to drive their asking prices up a little further and, crucially, give them a little more say in any potential negotiations.