Fabrizio Romano confirms Wolves make transfer approach for Everton and West Ham target

Wolves have reportedly contacted Championship club Burnley in regards to a move for their defender Maxime Esteve. 

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano says Esteve is the ‘one to watch’ with Premier League clubs exploring a move for the centre-back. He said that Wolves have contacted the Clarets over the conditions needed to bring him to Molineux but the race is open.

The 22-year-old signed with the Clarets this summer after making his loan from Montpellier permanent. Burnley paid a fee of €12m to sign Esteve, and he is with them on a long-term contract.

As for the identity of the teams interested, earlier this summer, French outlet L’Equipe said that both Everton and West Ham wanted to move forward and make a move for him. 

Both clubs have since signed centre-backs with Everton signing Jake O’Brien from Lyon, and the Hammers persuading Wolves to part with Max Kilman for £40m. West Ham are still seemingly in the market for centre-backs and have a similar shortlist to Wolves, whilst Everton have received interest in Jarrad Branthwaite.

Esteve made 16 appearances for Burnley in the Premier League last season while on loan. He was called up by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to represent France at the Olympic Games this summer but withdrew due to a non-injury issue. Burnley denied him the chance to represent them despite him making an appearance for them in March.

For a player who turned 22 in May, he has seven caps for the French under-20 team and has also made one appearance for the under-21s. He made 59 appearances for Montpellier’s first-team but is still 10 games shy of a century. Nevertheless, with Thierry Henry, and two of Wolves’ rivals taking a liking to him, Esteve is an option to consider as they continue their search for a Kilman replacement.