Tottenham Hotspur have made moves to bolster their defense with the submission of a £20 million bid for 22-year-old Maxime Esteve from Burnley, as reported by French journalist Loic Tanzi of L’Equipe. Despite Spurs’ interest, Burnley is resisting the offer, aiming for a price closer to £30 million for the promising center-back.
This pursuit of Esteve is not unexpected; Tottenham has been active in the transfer market, seeking additional defensive talent before the winter window closes. Much of this urgency stems from injuries to key players, including Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, both of whom have struggled with long-term setbacks. Radu Dragusin has recently added to this injury list, with reports confirming he will miss the rest of the season due to an ACL tear.
Esteve has undoubtedly been one of Burnley’s standout players this season, as the club sits third in the Championship with the remarkable statistic of conceding only nine goals across 30 matches. The Clarets have gone eight games without allowing any goals and Esteve has played every minute of every match aside from two. His contributions have made him pivotal to the team's impressive run, earning accolades such as being described as “exceptional” by Burnley manager Scott Parker.
Tottenham’s initial bid of £20 million might seem high for players from the second tier, but Esteve’s performance and potential suggest he could be worth the extra investment. He is not only quick for his size—standing around 6'4"—but offers the left-footed option Tottenham lacks since the injury to van de Ven. Comparisons have been drawn between Esteve and Tottenham's recent acquisition, Kevin Danso from RC Lens, who also joined to fortify the defense amid injury concerns.
Spurs previously explored other options such as Chelsea's Axel Disasi and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, indicating their needs for more solidarity at the back. The club's prior £70 million offer for Guehi reflects their pressing need, but with the market shifting quickly, attention has turned back to Esteve. If they hope to finalize this deal before the 11 pm transfer deadline, they may need to bridge the gap with Burnley’s asking price and improve their bid soon.
Besides his stellar play this season, Esteve has historical ties to France's U21 squad alongside other notable players like Mathys Tel, which adds to his favorable reputation. Scouts have overly praised his skill set, highlighting his ability to perform under pressure at such a young age. Esteve's impressive statistics—more tackles won, superior aerial battles, and increased blocks per game compared to some of his contemporaries—underscore why Spurs might find him to be the optimal choice to suit manager Ange Postecoglou's system.
A successful acquisition could not only stabilize Tottenham's current defensive lineup but also strengthen future prospects with Esteve's growing experience. With time running out, Spurs fans await news on whether they can seal the deal this January transfer window. The stakes are high as they strive to address their defensive woes and secure Esteve’s talents before the clock runs out.