Nottingham Forest make approach for Burnley star as Clarets concede imminent exit

Nottingham Forest have made an approach for a Burnley star as the Clarets concede he’ll leave in a matter of weeks, according to a report.

Forest’s summer is starting to take shape.

Survival is secured, and the mood at the City Ground has shifted decisively from crisis management to forward planning.

Vitor Pereira, who took charge in mid-February and guided the club to safety as well as a Europa League semi-final, is in line for a new long-term contract after The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that the hierarchy intend to extend his deal beyond its current June 2027 expiry.

Earlier this week, we reported on Pereira’s interest in reuniting with Wolves youngster Mateus Mane, the 18-year-old forward he handed a first professional contract to at Molineux before his departure.

Liverpool and Man United are also admirers, but Forest reportedly believe the guarantee of regular first-team football under a manager who knows him gives them an edge.

The Neco Williams situation also remains live, with the BBC’s Sami Mokbel revealing that Aston Villa, Newcastle, Manchester United and Everton have all made discreet enquiries about the 25-year-old left-back, prompting Forest to open contract extension talks.

Now, another target has emerged, and this time it is at the back.

According to L’Equipe, Forest have made contact over a deal for Burnley centre-back Maxime Esteve.

The 23-year-old Frenchman is expected to leave Turf Moor this summer after the Clarets’ relegation, and is weighing up his options between staying in the Premier League or moving to the Bundesliga.

Esteve has been one of the more consistent defenders in the bottom half of the table this season.

Despite playing for a side that finished near the bottom, the former Montpellier academy product made 34 Premier League appearances and logged over 3,000 minutes in all competitions this term.

He has now passed the 100-appearance mark for Burnley, having originally joined on loan from Montpellier in February 2024 before the move was made permanent that May.

Esteve extended his contract as recently as July 2025, tying him to the club until 2030 — which gives Burnley a strong negotiating hand even with relegation confirmed.

Forest are not the only Premier League club to have registered an interest.

L’Equipe report of rivals having also been in contact, adding domestic competition to a race that already includes unnamed Bundesliga sides.

Esteve is expected to make a swift decision about his future once the season concludes, and Burnley apparently concede he’ll be gone in a matter of weeks.

For Forest, the logic is clear.

Pereira needs to strengthen the defensive line if the club are to push further up the table next season, and a proven Premier League centre-back represents exactly the kind of investment that makes long-term sense.

Whether they can fend off the competition will depend on the financial package they put together, and how quickly they move once the window opens.

Sky pundit Micah Richards has lavished the ‘Rolls-Royce’ defender, and he could potentially be on his way to Forest if developments fall in their favour.