Burnley plot Middlesbrough move as Maxime Esteve development emerges | OneFootball

Chelsea and Liverpool are looking to prise a star away from Burnley, who could be replaced with a transfer raid on play-off finalists Middlesbrough

Burnley are looking to equip themselves with a squad capable of achieving promotion back to the Premier League at the very first time of asking after suffering relegation from the Premier League, and have duly decided to set their sights on a potential transfer raid of second-tier rivals Middlesbrough as the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool seek to take action on Turf Moor.

The Clarets are already heading into the upcoming summer transfer window at something of a disadvantage owing to the club's ongoing managerial vacancy, which is yet to be filled following Scott Parker's dismissal more than a month ago.

Since then, bosses such as Cardiff City's Brian Barry-Murphy, Craig Bellamy of Wales and Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard have all been linked to the hotseat in this corner of East Lancashire, but those moves have not materialised and Burnley remain on the search for a successor to Parker as we edge into the summer months.

But, even though Burnley's planning and squad-building efforts are restricted at this moment in time, the Clarets are continuing to pursue targets in the market as the club's key decision-makers strive to rebuild and arm whoever arrives to replace Parker with a side worthy of competing for promotion in the 2026/27 season.

Much like fellow relegated pair West Ham United and Wolves, they will have to marry such efforts with offsetting inevitable player departures, balancing the books and filling holes in the squad, with numerous assets likely to leave Turf Moor before the campaign commences in August.

Burnley eyeing Middlesbrough's Dael Fry as Chelsea, Liverpool plot Maxime Esteve transfer

Transfer activity has been thin on the ground at Burnley so far, but that could soon be subject to change following a recent report from TEAMtalk.

The report in question has claimed that Burnley are eyeing up a potential free transfer switch for Middlesbrough's Dael Fry, who could find himself out of contract and on the move away from the Riverside Stadium for the first time in his career.

As per the latest update, the Boro captain remains in talks over a new contract with the Championship play-off finalists, where he has spent the entirety of his playing career to date, but with the defender's deal set to expire imminently, no agreement has yet been reached and the Clarets are keeping a close eye on developments on Teesside as a result.

This comes amid intensifying interest in the services of Maxime Esteve, which will surprise very few at Burnley considering the Frenchman's steely defensive displays over the last two-and-a-half years.

Still aged just 24, Esteve has seldom been without considerable transfer interest and, according to TEAMtalk, is now being pursued by three Premier League sides in Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Liverpool, the latter of whom could soon accelerate their chase as Andoni Iraola prepares to replace the freshly-sacked Arne Slot at Anfield.

Esteve, who joined Burnley permanently in a reported £10.3 million deal after spending the second-half of the 2023/24 term on loan with the Clarets, is widely-expected to leave the club this summer and it's added that his side have grown "increasingly resigned" to the likelihood of losing the ex-Montpellier defender following a second relegation inside just three seasons.

Middlesbrough's Dael Fry would be a shrewd Burnley signing amid Maxime Esteve exit talk

Esteve's exit appears to represent an inevitability considering the French star's age, expertise and pedigree of suitors, but that blow would be softened by the probability of Burnley turning over a handsome profit on his signature while, it will be hoped, sourcing a strong replacement without actually having to stump up a transfer fee.

There is, of course, still time for Fry to renew his terms with Kim Hellberg's side, but as the days go on, that prospect is also increasingly unlikely and it would be a real boost for Burnley if they were able to take advantage and lure the defender to Turf Moor.

Fry is about as seasoned as they come at this level, having racked up just shy of 300 appearances for Middlesbrough, and his status as a club captain with a wealth of experience for a top-grade second-tier outfit - while potentially being available on the market for nothing - makes the 28-year-old an extremely attractive proposition.

Burnley would love nothing more than to weaken a potential promotion rival either, and this could certainly be a saga to watch out for in the coming days and weeks.