EXCLUSIVE: Fabrizo Romano confirms Wolves have now made first contact to sign Burnley defender as Clarets now in danger of losing another key player ahead of start of new season

Wolves have opened talks with Burnley to sign defender Maxime Esteve, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Gary O’Neil’s side lost captain Max Kilman earlier in the summer as he joined West Ham United and former manager Julen Lopetegui in a £40million deal, and they are now looking at the market to replace him.

But they face stiff competition to sign the 22-year-old centre-back this summer, as Romano reports that it is an “open race” currently. After losing Kilman from his squad, O’Neil finds himself short of options in the centre of defence and now Frenchman Esteve has emerged as a target.

According to Romano, a move for Esteve is “one to watch” as several Premier League clubs are exploring a move for the Burnley defender as a way to bolster their options, although they are as yet unnamed.

Esteve was a regular for the Clarets in the 2023/24 season as he made 16 appearances after joining in January, although he wasn’t able to prevent them being relegated to the Championship.

But his performances showed great potential which would explain why a host of clubs are looking at bringing him in, with Burnley likely to be in need of raising funds after suffering relegation to the Championship at the first attempt.