Burnley FC can prevent West Ham, Everton raid for Maxime Esteve on one clear condition | OneFootball

Burnley have to get promoted if they want to keep Maxime Esteve.

Burnley FC's transfer policy understandably leans towards player sales, but heading into the summer Alan Pace and Scott Parker will have no desire to lose Maxime Esteve.

The French centre-back was initially signed on loan from Montpellier in January 2024, before the Clarets made the move permanent in the summer for a fee of around £13 million.

In the Championship, this is a hefty price tag, but it’s fair to say he has not only justified the fee but exceeded all expectations at Turf Moor.

A key figure in one of the most resolute defences the Championship has ever seen, he has forged a superb partnership with fellow centre-back CJ Egan-Riley. This, combined with the team’s overall defensive setup, has resulted in an astonishing record - after 38 games, they have conceded just 11 goals. Such solidity has even drawn comparisons to José Mourinho’s legendary Chelsea side, who let in only 16 across an entire Premier League season.

On a personal note, Esteve has arguably been the driving force behind this, bringing a composed elegance and assured presence to Scott Parker’s side.

However, with promotion still uncertain, supporters will be growing anxious not only about which division Burnley will be playing in but also whether Esteve will remain at the club next year.

Maxime Esteve attracting West Ham and Everton

Unsurprisingly, Burnley’s remarkable defensive record has attracted the attention of several top clubs, and with Esteve at the heart of it, a host of teams are keen to secure his services.

In the winter transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur launched a last-gasp £20 million bid to sign the 22-year-old, which was rejected with the Clarets holding out for £30 million, according to L'Equipe.

Since then, new suitors have emerged, with the latest reports indicating that scouts from West Ham United, AC Milan, and Everton were in attendance to watch his recent performance in the Clarets' 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

Of course, this guarantees nothing, but those watching will no doubt have been impressed by the Frenchman's composed and assured display.

For Burnley supporters, this will only heighten concerns that he could depart in the summer, and they will be well aware that securing promotion is crucial to keeping hold of Esteve.

Promotion a key factor to Esteve retention for Burnley

The ultimate goal for Burnley this season was always promotion, but with the standout individual performances we've witnessed, a return to the Premier League has become all the more vital.

With eight games to go, Parker’s side sit just two points behind Sheffield United and Leeds United, who occupy second and first place respectively. Among their remaining fixtures, they still face challenging matches against play-off hopefuls, but the key encounter comes with three games to go, when they welcome Chris Wilder’s Blades to Turf Moor.

Having not tasted defeat since early November, it’s hard to see the Clarets slipping up, but if they can convert just a few more of those draws into wins, they may well be able to edge ahead of their promotion rivals. Of course, the play-offs remain a possibility, but as is well known, they can often produce unpredictable results.

For retaining Esteve, Premier League status is crucial. The defender is only attracting top-tier interest and if the Clarets are still in the Championship then they will have little chance of keeping him at the club.

Moving up does not guarantee his stay, but it would put the club in a stronger position to demand the fee they deem appropriate for any potential departure.