Maxime Esteve discusses his decision to stay with Burnley and snub transfer interest
Maxime Esteve says he has no regrets over his decision to commit his future to Burnley.
The Frenchman attracted plenty of transfer interest during the summer after helping the Clarets seal promotion back to the Premier League.
The 23-year-old was a major part of Burnley’s record-breaking defence that conceded just 16 goals in the Championship and kept a remarkable 30 clean sheets.
The likes of Tottenham and Crystal Palace were both linked with his services, but Esteve opted to remain at Turf Moor by signing a new five-year contract.
Discussing why he decided to snub a move away in favour of remaining with the Clarets, Esteve said: "I wanted to take a choice early on the window. I don't want to wait because I am this guy. When I am stable in my head, it's better for me, my family and everyone.
“Also, I speak with a lot of lads. They want to come, like Lesley [Ugochukwu], Loum [Tchaouna], and this is like b******t if I said: ‘come, come here’ and if I leave the club two weeks after, it would be nonsense.
“So I was fully focused on the club at the moment and I have a big discussion with the gaffer and the owner. They want me in a lot of years, maybe, if it's possible, so I take this choice and I have absolutely no regret. I'm very, very happy here.”
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Aged just 23, Esteve knows he has plenty of time on his side.
Having arrived at Burnley midway through their last Premier League campaign in January 2023, the centre-back has still only made a handful of appearances in the top flight.
Esteve believes remaining at Burnley and getting that invaluable top flight experience under his belt will serve him well going forwards.
“I know I'm still young,” he added.
“But for me, I don't want to wait time. I don't want to stay just around my age. I want to be part of the success and stay, like, learning about the teammates in the club.
“I think that's the best thing where I can improve, take experience because, before this season, I just have 16 games in Premier League, so I know I need improvement in this league and I think the club is very important for me.
“They can help me to take experience, to take time, and also the fans. For me, that's the best thing, the stability and the improvement I can take. [Staying] here, this is the best thing for me.”
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