Maxime Esteve Tottenham Transfer Back on as Defender Praises Spurs

The Maxime Esteve Tottenham transfer saga could be reignited this summer, as the Burnley defender has publicly expressed admiration for the North London club and star centre-back Micky van de Ven. After Tottenham’s £20 million bid on deadline day in February failed, the door may now be open for renewed negotiations.

With Spurs actively reassessing their backline amid Cristian Romero’s links to Atletico Madrid and van de Ven’s recurring injury concerns, Esteve’s comments add weight to rumors that manager Ange Postecoglou will prioritize defensive depth this window.

Esteve Names Spurs and Bale as Early Inspirations

In a recent interview with Foot Mercato, the 22-year-old Frenchman revealed a long-standing appreciation for Tottenham Hotspur—and notably for former Spurs icon Gareth Bale:

“I’ve never really been a fan of a club when I was a kid. I was more a fan of some players, but not a fan of a club. I dreamed of England really when I was a kid, I watched on TV. My favourite player was Gareth Bale when he played in Tottenham at the time.”

Now establishing himself in the Premier League, Esteve admitted his dream remains to play for a top six English club, keeping Spurs firmly on his radar as an ideal destination.

Micky van de Ven: A Role Model for Esteve

More telling, however, was Esteve’s admiration for Micky van de Ven, Tottenham’s Dutch defensive star. The Burnley defender sees similarities in their playing styles and views van de Ven as a benchmark:

“There’s a player I love very much in the Premier League… Micky van de Ven, the centre of Tottenham.
He is very fast, and I like him because I have the impression that I have a bit of the same speed qualities, even if he goes much faster. I feel inspired by him, because he’s a player who has about the same profile as me.”

This alignment in traits—pace, defensive presence, and recovery ability—could make Esteve an ideal fit in Postecoglou’s high-line defensive system.

Tottenham’s Interest Remains Strong

Although Burnley have returned to the Premier League, they may struggle to keep hold of Esteve should Spurs revive their pursuit. With his profile matching Tottenham’s tactical demands and the player himself eager to make the jump to a top-tier English club, a second bid from Spurs appears increasingly likely.

Whether or not Tottenham are prepared to meet Burnley’s valuation this time remains to be seen, but Esteve’s public enthusiasm for the club has added a new layer of momentum to this potential deal. For more transfer news, do check out the link below.