Burnley player wanted by West Ham and Everton following Premier League relegation | OneFootball

Burnley defender Maxime Esteve is attracting interest ahead of the summer transfer window.

That's according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, who says that two Premier League clubs are considering the 22-year-old as a potential target - with L'Equipe revealing that duo to be Everton and West Ham United.

Following their promotion from the Championship in the 2022/23 season, the Clarets endured a disappointing return to the top-flight of English football this time round.

A 19th place finish has seen the Turf Moor club immediately relegated back to the Championship, where they will now again be looking to bounce back quickly.

However, it now seems as though some of those currently on the books at Burnley could be given the chance to make an immediate return to the top flight, when the transfer market opens again in June.

West Ham and Everton interested in Burnley defender Maxime Esteve

As per this latest update, Esteve is now attracting interest from the top flight of England, as clubs put their plans in place for the window.

It is thought that both West Ham and Everton have shortlisted the French youth international as a potential target for this summer, with initial discussions underway.

Esteve only joined Burnley late in this year's winter transfer window, when he signed from Ligue 1 side Montpellier on an initial loan.

Prior to that move, the defender had made 62 appearances in all competitions for the French top flight club.

It was reported that the deal included a clause that would see the centre back join the club permanently for €15 million, if certain conditions were met.

Following his move to Turf Moor, the Frenchman went on to make 16 appearances for the Clarets in the second half of the season, as they were relegated from the Premier League.

Even so, Burnley confirmed in their end of season retained list that Esteve's loan move to Turf Moor had become a permanent one.

The defender's contract with the club is apparently set to run until the end of the 2027/28 season, which would give the club some scope to respond to any offers that come in for him this summer.

Maxime Esteve links will be a worry for Burnley

It is hard not to feel as though these links with Esteve will be a concern for those at Turf Moor.

Despite the club's relegation, the Frenchman did impress in the Premier League towards the latter stages of the campaign.

Indeed, it appears he has also become something of a popular figure among supporters at Turf Moor following his move to the club.

As a result, it would be a blow to lose him so soon after his move was made permanent, especially considering the important role he could have played in a promotion push next season.

However, with the finances available to clubs in the Premier League, and appeal to the player himself of competing at that level, it could be hard for them to retain Esteve.

With manager Vincent Kompany also looking set to move on to Bayern Munich, this is another issue added to the list of things that Burnley will already have to deal with early in the summer.

You therefore imagine that the Clarets will be fighting as much as they can to try and retain the services of Esteve beyond the end of the transfer window, with West Ham and Everton potentially exciting destinations for the left-sided defender.