Who is Melvin Bard? Leeds United deadline day loan target | OneFootball

Leeds United are edging towards a deadline day loan for Melvin Bard, with reports of an agreement on a season-long move from Nice. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, the French club are believed to be due an initial €one million fee and a €five million option to buy.

Should the deal be completed, Leeds would address left-back cover and Bard could become summer signing number six.

Born near Lyon, Bard came through Lyon’s academy and signed his first professional contract in August 2019 after 34 B-team appearances. He debuted for the first team four months later and made 19 appearances across all competitions.

He joined Nice in 2021 in a €three million move, seeking regular senior football. As a 20-year-old he became a mainstay, playing 37 games in his first season. Across five full campaigns he has never played fewer than 32 matches, totalling 192 appearances with seven goals and six assists.

His club form helped him progress through France’s youth ranks from Under-17s to Under-21s. He also featured for his country at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

A naturally left-sided defender, Bard is comfortable at left-back and on the left of a back three. He tends to progress play with passes from deeper positions and can hold a more conservative role, which could suit Leeds when one wing-back, such as Bogle, pushes on down the right.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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