"I don't think it's a problem" - Pundit drops Burnley FC, Maxime Esteve transfer claim | OneFootball

Pundit Carlton Palmer offers his opinion on the potential transfer interest in Burnley defender Maxime Esteve

Burnley have enjoyed a very strong start to life under new boss Scott Parker, and look on course to achieve promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking following last campaign's relegation from the top-flight.

The Clarets boast an impressively stingy defence, and have conceded just four goals in their opening 10 games in the Championship, and a robust backline has helped them to six victories so far.

The Lancashire outfit's star defender is Maxime Esteve, who signed a permanent deal at Turf Moor during the summer, after initially joining the Clarets on loan from French Ligue 1 outfit Montpellier last term.

At just 22 years old, and only 10 games into his Championship career, the Frenchman is already establishing a reputation as one of the best centre-backs in the second tier.

During the summer transfer window, Premier League side Wolves were interested in signing Esteve, as per Get French Football News via Yahoo!sports.

Meanwhile, German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim also pursued the young defender over the summer, according to respected transfer correspondent Fabrizio Romano.

But Esteve signed a new five-year deal with the Clarets last month, during a week in which both Josh Cullen and Luca Koleosho also extended their Turf Moor stays, which may be enough to stave off further interest in the 22-year-old for now, despite his evident quality.

Former England man backs Burnley to retain Esteve's services

Ex-England international and pundit Carlton Palmer exclusively told Football League World: "Burnley centre-back Maxime Esteve has started the season very, very well.

"Burnley sit in second place in the Championship on 21 points.

"He's looking very, very solid, he's playing very, very well, but Burnley moved to extend his contract, along with Josh Cullen and Luca Koleosho.

"He's signed a new contract with the club, he's a recent French Under-21 international.

"He joined Burnley in January from Ligue 1 side Montpellier, and made the move permanent in the summer.

"He's been outstanding, and they're very pleased with him.

"So, of course, clubs will be looking at him, but Burnley have the luxury that he signed a new five-year contract, but, of course, clubs will be looking at him.

"But Burnley, their priority is to get back to the Premier League, they've signed him on a longer contract, so they're not worried about it, they'll just carry on playing.

"He's a young player who needs to play, he's playing regularly for Burnley Football Club, I don't think it's a problem.

"You want your young players signed to longer contracts, they've done that, they've moved quickly, he's in excellent form, they'll hope that will continue.

"I expect big clubs to be looking at him, but unless Burnley receive an unbelievably stupid offer for the player, I don't think he'll be going anywhere at this moment in time."

Clarets chances of retaining Esteve could depend on promotion push outcome

As summarised by Palmer, Esteve has recently penned a new five-year deal with the Clarets, which demonstrates he is unlikely to leave Turf Moor in January, unless Parker and co receive an extremely high transfer offer for his services.

However, the French youth international is currently displaying form which suggests that he is good enough to be playing in either the Premier League or a top-flight league elsewhere in Europe rather than the Championship next season.

Despite the fact that Esteve has signed a long-term deal with the Lancashire outfit, this could be a problem for the Clarets if they do not achieve promotion to the Premier League come the end of the campaign.

But the way in which Parker's side have started the Championship season shows that they should be capable of winning promotion, while their chances of a top-flight return are bolstered by the presence of the 22-year-old at the back.