Such is the lure of the Premier League, West Ham United can approach a potential transfer tussle with both AC Milan and Bayern Munich and be confident of landing the knockout blow.
West Ham lead AC Milan in pursuit of Raphael Onyedika. Valued at £20 million, talks with the Club Brugge midfielder are progressing nicely with Nigeria international Onyedika attracted like a moth to a flame by the chance to prove himself in English football.
The perennially West Ham United-linked Maxime Esteve, meanwhile, was well and truly bitten by the Premier League bug at Burnley.
The talented centre-back made 16 appearances in England’s top flight during a loan spell at Turf Moor from Montpellier towards the back end of 2023/24. Esteve joined Burnley permanently shortly after their relegation was confirmed.
But with The Clarets now returning to the big stage, the rangy 23-year-old now has the opportunity to pick up where he left off thirteen months prior.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
West Ham United face Bayern Munich battle for Maxime Esteve
West Ham were linked with Maxime Esteve before his £15 million switch to Lancashire. Graham Potter’s outfit are interested again now, though they are not alone.
L’Equipe claim that Crystal Palace have made Esteve, who was part of France’s 2024 Olympic team, their priority defensive target. Everton, coached by ex-Hammers boss David Moyes, have stepped up their own pursuit over the last few days.
And then there is Bayern Munich. Vincent Kompany has reportedly reached out to Esteve to enquire about whether he’d be willing to follow in his former coach’s footsteps and take that path seldom-travelled from Burnley to Bavaria.
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Could West Ham, then, be entering another Raphael Onyedika situation? Another transfer target on the radar of a bonafide European powerhouse, but one who may prefer the Premier League stage to the hallowed turf of the San Siro or the Allianz Arena?
Esteve has a Premier League ‘dream’ in boost for West Ham
Esteve clearly believes he has unfinished business in England. As recently as last month, he admitted as much in conversation with Foot Mercato.
“For me, it’s always been my dream to play in England,” the £30 million-rated Esteve explained. “I really wanted to move to England.
“[Kompany] said something that struck me; ‘You play Champions League quarter-finals every weekend in the Premier League’.
Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images
Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images
“My goal is to become a proven Premier League player. So, that’s how it has to be. It’s up to me to show that I’m more than capable of asserting myself and being good in this championship, quite simply.
“It’s an important step for me. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure it goes well in the same way.”
Esteve adds that his ‘dream’ is to become a regular at a ‘top six’ Premier League club. West Ham finished closer to the bottom three than the top six last season, of course.
Photo by Stuart Leggett | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart Leggett | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
But with Burnley fearing a repeat of their disastrous 2023/24 campaign, swapping one claret and blue club for another may see Esteve take one step closer to achieving his lifelong ambitions.
West Ham are interested in CJ Egan-Riley as well, Esteve’s central defensive partner throughout much of 2024/25. The duo helped Burnley record the best defensive record in Championship history.
Hammers-linked captain Josh Brownhill appears keen to stay at Turf Moor, though, in a massive boost to Scott Parker’s pre-season preparations.