Queens Park Rangers and Millwall had divergent overall fortunes over the bulk of the 2025/26 Championship season, but both finished in English football’s second division.

Both teams had spent significant time outside the top tier, but the Lions ultimately fell short of gaining their first promotion to the elite since the Premier League was established 34 years ago, despite Alex Neil’s outstanding first full season at The Den.

Indeed, the team from south of the River Thames has received numerous accolades for the manner they have conducted themselves, both on and off the pitch, as a result of their significant relative success in SE16.

Millwall have recently attempted to break free from a previously long-held stigma of being a ‘direct’ and ‘physical’ side, with last season’s third-place finishers playing some incredibly tidy football along the way, despite their flaws at the conclusion of the promotion race.

Rangers, however, have yet to threaten the Championship’s elite sides since their last relegation from the Premier League in 2014/15, with Julien Stephan preparing to begin his second season at Loftus Road after being appointed last August.

Many were pleased by the 45-year-old’s additions in West London last summer, particularly Amadou Mbengue, Richard Kone, and Rumarn Burrell, who were all brought from League One.

However, the Hoops failed in their pursuit for stability, forcing Stephan and his team to reconsider in the off-season. With the summer transfer window just days away, the London rivals are supposedly locked in a transfer fight.

Queens Park Rangers and Millwall are in a €1 million transfer race for Rodez AF’s Nolan Galves.

Stephan, of course, is no stranger to highly-rated talent in his native France, having assisted in the development of the likes of Ousmane Dembélé and Desire Doue during his time at Stade Rennais – both players winning back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles with Paris Saint-Germain and representing ‘Les Bleus’ on the World Cup stage this summer.

Such connections and pedigree were among the reasons his original hiring in W12 was welcomed with excitement, and as Rangers attempt to build on a 15th-place result and a disappointing season finale, they appear to be making inroads into the continental transfer market.

According to Sacha Tavolieri of X, they are hoping to sign Rodez AF full-back Nolan Galves, along with Millwall, ahead of the 2026/27 season.

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However, it appears that the Lions have made the first move, submitting an offer to the Ligue 2 side, though it is unclear whether such a proposal will be approved at this stage.

Rodez AF concluded their domestic season in the play-off system, but missed out on a possible promotion to Ligue 1 after losing 7-6 on penalties to Saint-Étienne in the first round, while their divisional rivals lost to OGC Nice in the promotion/relegation final.

Tavolieri alleges that the Occitania-based club wants €1 million (£863,000) for the 22-year-old’s services.

Nolan Galves might be a future gem for Queens Park Rangers and Millwall.

Despite still being in the early stages of his career, Galves has already made 67 appearances in Ligue 2, previously for FC Sochaux, and would aim to continue on such a promising trajectory if QPR or Millwall are successful in acquiring his services.

Seven of his ten league assists came last season, demonstrating his capacity to create while also executing his regular defensive duties, which might help either club find a diamond.

Indeed, Millwall, more than most, understands the importance of contributions at both ends of the pitch coming from across the squad, as evidenced by Tristan Crama’s record of three goals and six assists this season – the latter total being the second-highest in the Lions’ ranks behind star winger Femi Azeez.