Leeds United might have found new James Justin after ex-manager verdict on £five million deal | OneFootball

Leeds United look set to bring Melvin Bard to Elland Road on deadline day, and the OGC Nice defender might offer James Justin-style versatility across Daniel Farke’s back line.

Bard is poised to join on loan with an option to buy worth £4.3m, taking the package to around £five million, with an initial £850,000 fee. The 25-year-old is expected in West Yorkshire for medical tests today.

A left-back by trade, he is initially viewed as cover for first-choice Gabriel Gudmundsson and, according to Transfermarkt, has played more than 30 games at centre-back and also as a defensive-minded left midfielder.

Many of those centre-back outings came in 2024/25 when Franck Haise used him on the left of a back three and, as quoted by Get French Football News last year, the coach felt the role suits Bard with aerial team-mates, praising his one-v-one defending, composure under pressure and ability to play out. Haise also highlighted Bard’s capacity to cover left-back, left wing-back and left centre-back.

That profile will resonate with Leeds supporters after Justin’s impact. The England international arrived for £eight million and became integral under Farke, impressing on the right of a back three, a slot usually taken by Joe Rodon, in a hybrid role shaped by his full-back background.

Justin started every Premier League match in the second half of last season and has been ever-present again so far this campaign. Rodon’s hamstring issue could see him revert to right centre-back, with Gudmundsson back on the bench last weekend.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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