Leeds United pounce on transfer 'twist' as Melvin Bard deal explored for deadline day
Leeds United are exploring a late transfer deal for Nice left-back Melvin Bard.
The Whites are known to have been looking for cover in that area for Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Numerous players have been linked over the course of the summer, but it may now be down to one name.
Bard could get the green light to depart Nice as they work on a deal of their own.
But time is not on Leeds' side to get a deal done as a new update is shared.
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What do Leeds need to happen for Melvin Bard transfer green light?
Bard has spent the past five years with Ligue 1 side Nice, making close to 200 appearances in that time.
He has also represented France from Under-17 level through to and including the Under-21s, as well as the Olympic team in 2021.
But an exit could now be on the cards for Bard.
As per transfer specialist Santi Aouna via X on Monday night, Bard could leave Nice for England, with Leeds and West Ham "coming in strong" for the defender.
Bard's exit is said to be a direct result of Nice moving to bring in Niels Nkounkou from Eintracht Frankfurt, with that described as a "twist".
Leeds now need that Nkounkou deal to go through to free up Bard to leave.
If West Ham are the only other English side interested, Leeds are well positioned to win that race.
What type of player is Leeds target Bard?
Bard has already made a couple of Ligue 1 appearances for Nice this season.
Rather than being used as a left-back, he has instead operated as a left-wing back - even better for Daniel Farke.
There has been talk of the German reverting to a back four, which he did in the second half against Brentford.
But Bard seems a versatile option who can be used in both systems as cover for Gudmundsson, which is very much needed.
He scored two goals and assisted one in 29 French top-flight outings last time out, so he is clearly attack-minded.
If this is a deal Leeds can get over the line, it would be a brilliant piece of business on the face of it.