Tottenham closing in on signing promoted star following offer: report

Thomas Frank has completed his first deal as Tottenham manager

Thomas Frank may soon have another defender at his disposal for Tottenham (Image credit: Getty Images)

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in talks to sign a star who won promotion to the Premier League last season.

Spurs are looking to bolster their squad after a difficult season that saw them finish just one place above the relegation zone.

They have already landed permanent deals for defenders Kota Takai, Luka Vuskovic and Kevin Danso, but feel there’s still room in their rearguard ranks.

Tottenham Hotspur in second attempt to land promoted star

Thomas Frank wants to make room for new additions — Spurs have not lost any attraction to the defender despite a changing of the guard in the dugout (Image credit: Getty Images)

Spurs are keen watchers of the league below, having landed the likes of Archie Gray and Djed Spence in recent years based on their performances in the Championship.

There has been a change in the dugout, with Thomas Frank replacing Ange Postecoglou, but their admiration of talent displayed in the second tier has not altered.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Archie Gray of Tottenham Hotspur FC during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) — Spurs' capture of Archie Gray from then-Championship Leeds United proved a success (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to French outlet L’Equipe, Spurs are attempting to sign Burnley defender Maxime Esteve.

It’s the north London club’s second attempt at signing the France youth international, with L’Equipe also revealing that they offered around €24m for the player in the winter window.

Burnley rejected that offer and went on to win promotion to the Premier League, with Esteve, along with CJ Egan-Riley and goalkeeper James Trafford, the primary cast credited with the Claret’s incredible defensive record last term, conceding just 16 goals in 46 games.

The same report claims Burnley demanded €35m in the winter, but with promotion complete and Spurs able to offer Champions League football, Scott Parker’s side may struggle to stand too defiantly in Esteve’s way.

Burnley boss Scott Parker has already secured promotion back to the Premier League for the Clarets — Losing Esteve would not be ideal for Burnley boss Scott Parker (Image credit: Getty Images)

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, Esteve is clearly highly rated by the powerbrokers at Spurs, on account of the repeated attempts to sign him.

However, Spurs are already very well stocked in central defence, so his competition for minutes will not be easy.

That could be the only bargaining chip left in Parker’s arsenal; he’s already lost Egan-Riley to Marseille, and Trafford is being linked away, so holding Esteve could prove vital for the Clarets’ survival.

Esteve is valued at €20m, according to Transfermarkt.

TOPICS

Isaac Stacey Stronge is a freelance football writer working for FourFourTwo, Manchester United and Football League World. He has been a season ticket holder at Stockport County throughout the Hatters’ meteoric rise from the National League North to League One and is a die-hard Paddy Madden fan.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.