Leeds United have agreed a deal to sign Melvin Bard | OneFootball

Leeds United have agreed a deadline-day deal with OGC Nice to sign left-back Melvin Bard on an initial season-long loan, according to L’Equipe.

Leeds will pay a €1 million loan fee, with a non-mandatory option to make the transfer permanent next summer for €5m. Bard is scheduled to fly to West Yorkshire for his medical.

The Whites acted decisively late in the window to address defensive depth and strengthen their full-back options.

Bard, who can play as a traditional left-back or as a left wing-back, has been brought in to provide direct competition for Gabriel Gudmundsson.

Both West Ham United and Leeds made late bids, but Nice approved Leeds’ proposal after Bard expressed a preference for Daniel Farke’s project.

Bard joins Leeds with significant top-flight experience, having made over 190 appearances for Nice since joining from Lyon in 2021.

Known for his tackling and overlapping runs, the ‘exceptional’ Frenchman offers immediate quality to the Whites’ backline.

Nice were able to sanction Bard’s departure after lining up Eintracht Frankfurt’s Niels Nkounkou as his replacement.

By securing a non-mandatory buy option instead of an immediate purchase, Leeds maintain financial flexibility while filling a key squad need.

With financial terms finalised, Leeds expect no administrative issues as they aim to complete Bard’s registration before the transfer deadline.

Leeds may still make one more move in the market with attacking reinforcements still being eyed.

Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk was previously a target, but the 25-year-old is now set to join Tottenham Hotspur, where he will reunite with Roberto De Zerbi.