Burnley are preparing for the potential departure of defender Maxime Esteve, with Liverpool identified as one of several Premier League clubs interested in the 23-year-old, according to TEAMtalk. The Clarets are already exploring replacement options, and Middlesbrough captain Dael Fry has emerged as a leading candidate.
Esteve joined Burnley from Montpellier in a €12m deal in 2024, following a successful loan spell at Turf Moor, and has become a key player for the club. Interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and Crystal Palace is expected to intensify in the coming weeks, and Burnley are increasingly resigned to losing the French centre-back this summer.
Dael Fry, 27, is set to become a free agent when his contract with Middlesbrough expires, with ongoing discussions over an extension yet to yield an agreement. Burnley are monitoring the situation closely, with Fry’s availability on a free transfer making him an attractive option. The club views the experienced defender as a valuable addition without incurring a transfer fee.
Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Esteve as they seek to bolster their defensive options following the departure of Ibrahima Konate and with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez entering the final year of their contracts. Incoming manager Andoni Iraola and sporting director Richard Hughes will ultimately decide on any approach for the Burnley defender. The club is also considering other defensive targets, including a South American player valued at £40m.
Should Esteve move to Anfield, it would represent a significant step in Iraola’s planned overhaul of the Liverpool squad, with the new head coach reportedly targeting multiple signings to implement his high-press, high-intensity style of play.
