The Sunday People reports that Everton has considered using Burnley defender Maxime Esteve in place of Jarrad Branthwaite.
The publication said on page 57 of their print edition on June 9 that West Ham United and the Toffees might possibly offer the French defender a lifeline to stay in the Premier League.
After joining on loan from Montpellier during the midseason, Esteve committed to the Clarets for the long term. However, Everton may prepare an offer should Branthwaite decide to leave for Manchester United in the upcoming weeks [Sunday Mirror].
Would Maxime Esteve fill Jarrad Branthwaite hole at Everton?
It should come as no surprise that Dyche wants to stick with his current back-four choices for the upcoming season given that Everton finished as the fourth-best defense in the Premier League last season.
With 35 games under his belt and three goals, including the game-winning goal in a boisterous 2-0 victory over city rivals Liverpool in the late season, 21-year-old Branthwaite played a significant role in keeping that record intact.
But given the center-back’s breakthrough campaign and ascent to prominence in England, as well as the club’s financial difficulties—which included two violations of profit and sustainability regulations—a big-money transfer for Branthwaite is expected to occur this summer.
If he leaves for a price near the Toffees’ estimated £70–80 million valuation [Liverpool Echo], a sizable sum of money would be available for the Blues to look for a straight successor, and Esteve seems to be at the top of that list.
Though Esteve is left-footed and shares a similar height and age profile with Branthwaite, it’s easy to see how Dyche was drawn to the 22-year-old Claret despite Burnley’s league-worst defense and penchant for scoring goals.
