Maxime Esteve: Stats reveal Nottingham Forest may have messed up as deal 'agreed'

RB Leipzig have confirmed the £21million arrival of Maxime Esteve from Burnley on a long-term contract.

The 24-year-old was relegated with the Clarets and always likely to leave, having shown his quality in the two years since moving from Montpellier.

The Frenchman was among Burnley's few standouts in the Premier League and it has been a surprise that competition from within the top flight did not materialise.

Nottingham Forest were among the sides said to be interested in Esteve, with there remaining some potential doubt over the futures of Jair Cunha and Morato.

Oliver Glasner is reportedly keen to sign a new centre-back this summer as he looks to provide competition for Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic.

Cunha and Morato are currently seen as their direct replacements, but neither player has managed to prove their quality on a consistent basis.

Nottingham Forest have missed out on Maxime Esteve

Esteve arrived at Burnley in 2024 and was already subject to Premier League interest when he was named player of the season as his team achieved automatic promotion from the Championship.

The France youth international could not quite live up to those standards in the top flight, but certainly did enough to prove his ability.

The likes of Everton, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth were reportedly considering a move, but a bid never materialised.

Instead, RB Leipzig have stolen in to sign Esteve for just £21m - a bargain price for a young defender.

The 24-year-old registered 1.35 tackles, 1.13 interceptions, 3.49 recoveries and 6.77 clearances per game this season, winning 4.26 duels at a success rate of 66.2 per cent.

Esteve did not manage to record any goals or assists, but created seven chances and even more impressively, was booked just once across 34 Premier League games.

Nottingham Forest to look elsewhere as options assessed

Glasner remains keen to sign a new centre-back this summer, and several other options are on the market.

John Stones is a free agent and enjoyed a strong World Cup, although his significant wages will have to be taken into account.

Jhon Lucumi is another potential option, with the 28-year-old Bologna defender reportedly having a £26m release clause in his contract.

Or indeed Glasner could be set to go shopping back at his old club, with the likes of Chris Richards and Jaydee Canvot among potential targets.