Leeds United reach agreement to sign Melvin Bard as £5.1m financial terms revealed
Melvin Bard is closing in on a deadline day move to Leeds United.
The OGC Nice left-back looks set to be the second in that position to arrive from Ligue 1 in the last 18 months.
Daniel Farke admitted after the 1-1 draw with Brentford that Leeds need more defensive cover at Elland Road.
Gabriel Gudmundsson has already suffered an injury and returned, while Joe Rodon also hobbled off in that stalemate.
It means all roads lead to Bard, with Leeds moving quickly to get a deal over the line to suit all parties.
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Leeds strike lightning Melvin Bard agreement
Links between Leeds and Bard emerged from France late on Monday evening.
And now, overnight, terms have been agreed to unlock the transfer.
L'Equipe have reported that Leeds have agreed an initial loan worth just over £850,000 for Bard.
The French newspaper reports on its website that the Whites will have the option to make it permanent after for around £4.3million.
Bard also had an offer from West Ham, but will move to LS11 for his first experience outside of France at the age of 25.
Could Leeds sign anyone else?
These types of deals are exactly what will be targeted today, so don't expect anything too fancy.
Bard ticks a lot of boxes at Elland Road, with defensive depth at an all-time low for Farke.
With Rodon injured, Bard will join James Justin as the depth, with the latter able to play on the right and centrally.
That unlocks Bard to stay as cover for Gudmundsson on the left.
Leeds still want a winger too, with an attacker signing seen as most likely only 24 hours ago until this one unravelled.
Willy Gnonto has completed his medical tests ahead of a move to Fiorentina, but will only be allowed to leave if a replacement is signed.
Bard isn't that, so you'd expect Leeds to remain busy throughout the day.