Southampton have finalized a deal, but one man could still opt to walk away.

Saints Reach Agreement With Rodez for Promising Full-Back

Southampton have quietly made progress in the transfer market despite much of the recent attention surrounding the future of midfielder Shea Charles. While speculation over Charles has dominated headlines, the Saints have been working behind the scenes to strengthen another area of their squad.

According to reports from journalist Sacha Tavolieri on July 25, Southampton and fellow Championship side West Bromwich Albion have both reached an agreement with French club Rodez for the transfer of right-back Nolan Galves.

With the two clubs now matching Rodez’s demands, the next step rests entirely with the player. Galves is expected to decide where he wants to continue his career, with a final decision anticipated within a short period of time.

Rather than the clubs competing financially, the race now comes down to which sporting project the 23-year-old believes offers him the better opportunity.

FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-LIGUE2-ST ETIENNE-RODEZ | ALEX MARTIN/GettyImages

Galves Has Built a Reputation as an Attack-Minded Defender

If Southampton succeed in convincing Galves to join, they would be signing a full-back who has developed a strong reputation for his attacking contributions in Ligue 2.

Operating primarily as a wing-back, Galves consistently pushed forward last season and became one of Rodez’s most productive creative players from a defensive position.

Statistics from FotMob underline just how influential he was going forward. During the previous campaign, he recorded seven assists while maintaining an average match rating of 7.04.

Those numbers reflect a player who regularly creates opportunities for teammates rather than simply providing defensive security.

Creativity Is One of His Biggest Strengths

Galves’ attacking statistics stand out among full-backs in France’s second division.

Over the course of the season, he created 48 scoring opportunities and successfully completed 57 crosses into dangerous areas. One of his assists came in the promotion play-offs, demonstrating that he was capable of producing decisive moments even under increased pressure.

Compared with other defenders in Ligue 2, Galves ranked among the competition’s leading performers for assists and chances created.

Those figures suggest Southampton would be adding a player capable of contributing significantly in the final third, particularly when attacking down the right flank.

His willingness to overlap, deliver crosses, and support attacks makes him an attractive option for teams that rely heavily on adventurous full-backs.

Defensive Improvement May Still Be Required

While Galves excels going forward, there remain areas of his game that need further development.

His defensive statistics are not nearly as impressive as his attacking output. According to the same analytical data, he ranks much lower in categories such as aerial duels won and overall defensive actions.

That imbalance highlights the type of player Southampton would potentially be signing.

Rather than being a traditional stay-at-home defender, Galves is someone whose strengths lie in creating attacks, stretching the opposition, and delivering quality service into the penalty area.

Like many modern wing-backs, he offers attacking energy but may require additional support defensively, particularly when facing stronger opposition.

A Relatively Inexpensive Opportunity

Financially, the proposed transfer represents a relatively low-risk investment.

Reports suggest Rodez are prepared to sell Galves for a fee close to €1 million, which is approximately £850,000. That valuation is broadly in line with Transfermarkt’s estimate, which places his market value at around £1 million.

For a player still only 23 years old and already demonstrating impressive creativity from defense, the asking price is viewed as affordable.

Even if Galves requires time to adjust to English football, Southampton would not be committing a major transfer fee, making the move an appealing gamble with potentially significant upside.

Championship Football Would Present a New Challenge

Despite his encouraging performances in France, moving from Ligue 2 to the Championship would represent a considerable step up in quality and intensity.

The physical demands, pace of play, and overall competitiveness of England’s second tier are significantly higher than those found in the French second division.

If he completes the move to St Mary’s, Galves would also face strong competition for playing time.

James Bree remains one of Southampton’s most reliable options at right-back, while Mads Roerslev is also expected to be available after returning to the squad.

Rather than arriving as an automatic starter, Galves would likely begin his Southampton career providing depth while competing for opportunities.

That level of competition could benefit both the player and the squad, but it also raises questions about how many minutes he would realistically receive.

Squad Depth Could Be Important for Southampton

Southampton have previously experienced periods where injuries left them short of natural full-back options.

Those situations exposed a lack of depth in wide defensive areas and forced adjustments elsewhere in the team.

Bringing in an affordable player capable of covering multiple roles along the right flank could therefore prove to be sensible long-term planning.

A player with Galves’ attacking qualities would also give Tonda Eckert greater tactical flexibility, particularly in matches where Southampton expect to dominate possession and attack aggressively.

For a modest transfer fee, strengthening squad depth in an important position appears to be a logical piece of business.

West Brom Could Still Hold the Advantage

Although Southampton have completed the difficult part by agreeing terms with Rodez, they remain locked in direct competition with West Bromwich Albion.

The Baggies have reached the same agreement with the French club, leaving Galves free to choose whichever project appeals to him most.

That could ultimately work against Southampton.

Unlike the Saints, West Brom currently appear to have fewer established options at right-back, meaning Galves may enjoy a clearer pathway into the starting lineup.

For a young player eager to continue developing through regular football, guaranteed opportunities often outweigh other factors.

If playing every week becomes his top priority, West Brom may have the stronger argument.

Southampton’s Current Situation Adds Uncertainty

The Saints’ own squad planning could also influence Galves’ thinking.

Much will depend on whether Southampton retain or sell some of their existing full-backs before the transfer window closes.

Until those decisions become clear, it may be difficult for the player to know exactly where he fits within Eckert’s plans.

At the same time, Southampton face additional pressure entering the new Championship campaign.

Following the Spygate sanctions, the club will begin the 2026/27 season with a four-point deduction, making every squad place increasingly valuable as they attempt to secure promotion back to the Premier League.

Every signing must provide genuine value and strengthen the squad if Southampton are to overcome that early disadvantage.

Final Decision Now Rests With the Player

Southampton have already done everything required from a negotiating perspective by reaching an agreement with Rodez.

Now the outcome depends entirely on Galves himself.

The transfer represents good value financially, and his attacking qualities could add another dimension to Southampton’s right side. However, the jump from Ligue 2 to the Championship, combined with questions surrounding his defensive consistency, means there is still an element of risk.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle is competition from West Brom, who may be able to offer the regular first-team football that every young player seeks.

For now, Southampton can only wait. They have positioned themselves well, but the final choice belongs to Nolan Galves, and whichever club best convinces him of his future is likely to secure his signature.