Sky Sports Host Weighs In as West Ham Pursue ‘Extraordinary’ French Defender

Maxime Esteve has drawn interest from West Ham, Everton, and AC Milan following a stellar season in the Championship.

His performances have made him a prime target for clubs looking to strengthen their defensive options.

West Ham’s need for a centre-back has grown due to inconsistent displays from Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos.

The Clarets defender appears to be a perfect fit for the East London side, which is undergoing a major overhaul under Graham Potter and recruitment chief Kyle Macaulay.

They are set to reshape the squad after the turbulence caused by Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui’s tenure.

David Prutton Backs Esteve for West Ham Move

With several clubs keen on securing Esteve’s signature, Potter must act quickly to finalize a deal with Burnley.

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton believes the 22-year-old is ready for the Premier League, as he shared with Football League World on March 19.

“West Ham are a club consolidating their position in the Premier League, and under Graham Potter, they are aiming to implement the style of play he was praised for at Brighton,” Prutton said.

“Maxime Esteve displays a maturity beyond his years and has shown remarkable consistency throughout the season.

He has been ever-present in Burnley’s lineup, and that reliability is what clubs pay top players for.”

Prutton emphasized that the true challenge in the Premier League lies in facing high-quality strikers and strong opposition.

However, he is convinced that Esteve has the attributes to thrive.

“Burnley have kept 27 clean sheets this season, which is a remarkable achievement.

Based on his performances, Esteve seems like a Premier League player in waiting,” he added.

Esteve as the Foundation for West Ham’s Rebuild

Esteve has played a crucial role in Scott Parker’s Burnley side, which has boasted one of the best defensive records this season.

Starting every league game, he has helped them concede just 11 goals.

Despite their defensive dominance, Burnley remain two points shy of automatic promotion.

If they fail to secure a top-two finish, West Ham’s chances of signing Esteve could improve.

However, there are still twists left in the promotion race. If Burnley secure a spot in the Premier League, it may complicate negotiations.

Yet, the prospect of joining an established Premier League side rather than a team battling relegation could still appeal to the French defender.

Potter and his staff will be watching Burnley’s promotion bid closely, hoping they stumble in the playoffs.

Even if they remain in the Championship, West Ham will still need to fend off competition from Everton and AC Milan.

Securing Esteve’s signature would be a significant step in Potter’s rebuilding project at West Ham, but it won’t be an easy task.