Le Havre move for Bodart after Mpasi blow, Gallon to start as number one | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Le Havre have reached agreement to sign Arnaud Bodart, subject to LFP legal commission approval. Bodart is not arriving as first-choice, with Gauthier Gallon to start against Angers at 20:45.

Mpasi was injured in stoppage time of the 1-2 defeat to Brest when he clawed away a Joris Chotard lob. Coach Didier Digard feared the worst, and it proved correct, the Congolese keeper has sustained a total Achilles tendon rupture.

Le Havre explored alternatives, missing out on Patrik Carlgren, 34, who returned to Nantes, and making no approach for Paris FC’s number two, Obed Nkambadio. Bodart, 28, arrived at Lille in July 2025 but was third choice behind Berke Özer and Orlando Gill. Released from the final 10 months of his deal, he is the nephew of Gilbert, the former Bordeaux goalkeeper.

Last season Mory Diaw was number one and Mpasi his deputy, despite the latter impressing in his spells. The order shifted this summer after Mpasi’s very good World Cup and pre-season, and Diaw’s desire to leave. On 24 August Diaw joined Al-Shabab.

Two days later Gallon signed a one-year deal as a free agent. The 33-year-old, back in Ligue 1 after 16 matches with bottom side Dender, had started regularly for Troyes before a spell as back-up at Rennes. Bodart has only three Ligue 1 games for Lille and was unconvincing.

Gallon is set to face Angers with Alex Teixeira, 19, likely as understudy. Digard said starting this match makes Gallon number one, that the club simply wanted the best keeper to complete the group, and that performances will decide if he keeps the shirt.

Source: L'Équipe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”