Southampton defender set to stay despite “agreed” deal reports

Southampton defender Yan Valery is reportedly set to stay at the club this season despite reports of an “agreed” deal yesterday.

According to the Athletic’s Dan Sheldon (via the Athletic’s live transfer blog), Saints want to keep the Frenchman at St Mary’s to retain the squad depth they currently have. A report from Football Insider yesterday suggested that a loan deal had been agreed with Greek giants Olympiacos.

Valery is behind Tino Livramento and Kyle Walker-Peters in the battle to start as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s right-back but could be given a chance to impress now – especially with Walker-Peters filling in at left-back recently.

Valery did make an impression in pre-season and looked to be one of a few players trying to prove their worth with a couple of strong displays.

Valery set for more chances with Southampton?

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The 22-year-old earned his place in the Saints team back in the 2018/19 season and put in some promising displays but he has since slid down the pecking order.

A loan spell at Birmingham City was supposed to be used to build some form once again but he also failed to make a big enough impression at St Andrews and arrived back with Saints this summer with question marks over his future.

He may have to wait for his chance now but at least he looks to be focussed on the job in hand. He made his first competitive appearance of the new campaign in the 8-0 League Cup win at Newport County recently.

Valery’s task of breaking back into the line-up has been made harder by the superb form of Tino Livramento since his arrival from Chelsea and it appears that it would take an injury to remove the 18-year-old from the starting team.

Keep track of all the happenings involving Saints this evening with our own live transfer blog, with fresh Michael Obafemi news breaking now.