Leeds United are nearing the completion of a loan deal for Melvin Bard, a defender from French club Nice. The agreement includes an option for Leeds to buy the player outright at the end of the season. The initial loan fee is set at one million euros, with an additional five million euros available if Leeds decide to make the transfer permanent. Bard, 25, is expected to travel to Leeds’ home ground, Elland Road, on deadline day to undergo a medical examination and finalize the deal. Bard’s arrival will add depth to Leeds’ full-back positions, which have been limited to just one left-sided option, Gabriel Gudmundsson, under manager Daniel Farke. This depth is crucial as the team continues to build its squad for the upcoming season. However, there has been some uncertainty surrounding the attacking options after Willy Gnonto, a key player, moved to Italian club Fiorentina. Leeds had secured Gnonto’s loan on the condition that they find a replacement, but a reported deal for Ukrainian forward Mykhailo Mudryk from Chelsea fell through, with Tottenham reportedly stepping in. This loan deal for Bard would mark Leeds’ sixth senior signing of the summer transfer window. The club has already added goalkeepers James Trafford and Michael Zetterer, defenders Nico Elvedi and Tarik Muharemovic, and forward Harry Wilson. These signings reflect Leeds’ efforts to strengthen their squad across multiple positions as they prepare for the new season. The addition of Bard is expected to provide much-needed stability and versatility to the defensive line, particularly on the left side.