RB Leipzig are in negotiations with Burnley to sign defender Maxime Estève, with discussions focusing on a long-term contract extending to 2031. Sky Germany and journalist Sacha Tavolieri report that Estève is receptive to a move to the Bundesliga, and personal terms are not anticipated to be a stumbling block.
Leipzig have submitted an initial offer of around €25million for the 23-year-old Frenchman, but this falls short of Burnley’s valuation. The Premier League club reportedly values Estève between €35-45million and are hoping other English clubs will emerge as potential bidders. Estève joined Burnley from Montpellier in August 2023, making 34 appearances across all competitions and quickly establishing himself as a key player in Kompany’s side.
The pursuit of Estève is linked to potential departures within the Leipzig squad. The German club are preparing for the possibility of losing either Castello Lukeba or El Chadaille Bitshiabu during the transfer window, and Estève is viewed as a potential replacement. Lukeba arrived at Leipzig last summer from Lyon for a reported €34 million, while Bitshiabu joined in January 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain.
However, as of yet, Leipzig have not received any concrete offers for either Lukeba or Bitshiabu. Without a confirmed exit for one of the current centre-halves, Leipzig are hesitant to increase their offer for Estève. The club is seemingly taking a cautious approach, awaiting clarity on their defensive options before committing to a deal for the Burnley player. A successful transfer would provide Leipzig with a young, promising centre-back, while Burnley would secure a significant profit on a player signed less than a year ago.
Burnley experienced relegation from the Premier League last season, finishing 19th in the table, and may be open to selling players to adjust their squad and finances for a Championship campaign. Estève’s performances for Burnley have attracted attention from across Europe, and Leipzig appears to be at the forefront of the race for his signature.
