Maxime Esteve Completes £27.3m Move from Burnley to RB Leipzig

Burnley

RB Leipzig

Burnley defender Maxime Esteve has completed a £27.3m move to RB Leipzig, ending a two-and-a-half-year stay at Turf Moor. The 24-year-old France U21 i...

90min.footballAI-assisted reporting

17 July 2026, 11:09 UTC3 min read

In short

Burnley defender Maxime Esteve has completed a £27.3m move to RB Leipzig, ending a two-and-a-half-year stay at Turf Moor. The 24-year-old France U21 international made 100 appearances for the Clarets, proving instrumental in their 2024-25 Championship title win under Scott Parker, playing every league game. Burnley, who originally signed him from Montpellier for £10.2m, accepted the substantial profit following their third Premier League relegation in five years. Esteve, a 6ft 4in centre-half, will now test himself in the Bundesliga with a Leipzig side that finished third last season and can offer Champions League football. The transfer represents a significant step up for the player and a smart piece of business for Burnley as they rebuild in the second tier.

Maxime Esteve Completes £27.3m Move to RB Leipzig

Burnley have reluctantly parted ways with star defender Maxime Esteve, who has completed a £27.3 million transfer to RB Leipzig. The 24-year-old centre-back departs Turf Moor after two and a half impactful seasons, leaving behind a legacy as one of the Championship's most reliable performers.

Deal at a Glance

Transfer Fee: £27.3m

New Club: RB Leipzig (Bundesliga)

Previous Club: Burnley (Championship)

Original Fee Paid: £10.2m (from Montpellier, 2024)

Burnley Appearances: 100

2024-25 Championship: 46/46 matches, title winner

Height: 6ft 4in (1.93m)

International: France U21 caps

How Esteve Became a Burnley Mainstay

Initially joining on loan from Montpellier on deadline day in February 2024, Esteve was thrust straight into a struggling Burnley side under Vincent Kompany. Despite the club’s relegation that season, his composed performances convinced the hierarchy to activate a £10.2m permanent option in the summer.

The following year, under new manager Scott Parker, Esteve transformed into an ever-present colossus. He played every single minute of Burnley’s Championship-winning campaign, forming a formidable partnership at the back. His 100th and final appearance for the Clarets came in a season that yielded a league title but ended in another immediate relegation from the Premier League — the club’s third drop in five years.

Such yo-yo existence likely influenced Esteve’s decision to seek stability at the highest level, and Burnley’s board, having signed him to a five-year extension just 12 months ago, could not ignore the substantial profit on offer.

Ready for the Bundesliga Spotlight

RB Leipzig presents an ideal platform for Esteve’s next step. The Red Bull-backed club finished third in the Bundesliga last term and boast a modern, high-pressing philosophy under coach Marco Rose. Esteve’s blend of physicality and composure on the ball should mesh well with Leipzig’s demands, particularly given his prior experience in a similar tactical setup under Kompany at Burnley.

Leipzig’s defence, while solid, lacked depth due to injuries and departures. Esteve will compete for a starting spot alongside the likes of Castello Lukeba and Willi Orbán, with the added lure of Champions League football another clear attraction.

What This Means for Burnley

For Burnley, the windfall provides crucial funds for Parker’s rebuild ahead of another Championship campaign. The Clarets have already been linked with several replacements, though none have been confirmed. While losing a player of Esteve’s calibre stings, the near-£17m profit in two years represents sound business for a club fully aware of its financial realities.

Source: BBC Sport