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League: Serie ASport: SoccerCountry: ItalyCategory: Trades

West Ham and Leeds United target OGC Nice defender Melvin Bard

7 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Sep 1, 2026, 8:40 AM

Last updated Sep 1, 2026

West Ham and Leeds United target OGC Nice defender Melvin Bard
Summary

West Ham United and Leeds United are pursuing a deal for OGC Nice left-back Melvin Bard. Coventry City is also reportedly interested in the 25-year-old French defender. Bard, who is under contract with the Ligue 1 club until 2028, carries an estimated market value of €10 million. Nice management appears prepared to facilitate his departure, as the club nears an agreement to sign Eintracht Frankfurt’s Niels Nkounkou as a replacement. A product of the Olympique Lyonnais academy, Bard joined Nice in 2021 and has since made nearly 200 professional appearances, recording seven goals and six assists. The defender previously represented France at the Under-23 level.

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Status Watch
  • •West Ham and Leeds United are competing to sign Melvin Bard.
  • •Coventry City is also monitoring the 25-year-old Nice defender.
  • •Nice values the player at approximately €10 million.
  • •The club is expected to sign Niels Nkounkou as a replacement.
  • •Bard has recorded seven goals and six assists across nearly 200 appearances.
Latest Updates
  • 8:46 AMYahoo Sports — Joining Leeds 'an easy choice' - Bard
  • 9:55 PMYahoo Sports — Official | Leeds United sign OGC Nice full-back Melvin Bard on loan
  • 9:46 PMYahoo Sports — Fact File: Melvin Bard
  • 9:45 PMYahoo Sports — Melvin Bard signs for Leeds United!
  • 8:40 AMYahoo Sports — Left-back Bard nears loan move but uncertainty over Leeds attack
  • 8:36 AMYahoo Sports — Leeds close in on Nice defender Bard
  • 8:36 AMBBC Sport — Leeds close in on Nice defender Bard
  • 8:20 AMYahoo Sports — Leeds United have agreed a deal to sign Melvin Bard
What they're saying
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Leeds United are closing on an an initial loan deal for Nice defender Melvin Bard. Meanwhile, there is uncertainty around the Elland Road side's attack, with Willy Gnonto in Italy completing a move to Fiorentina. The initial loan deal for the Italian to return to Serie A was contingent on Leeds finding a replacement, but a move for Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk was successfully hijacked by Tottenham.

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New Leeds United signing Melvin Bard has said the history "makes the club an attractive one" after joining from Ligue 1 side Nice on an initial loan deal. "Leeds is a historic club in the Premier League so it was an easy choice," Bard said.

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Leeds United added depth to the defensive line with the Deadline Day signing of OGC Nice left-back Melvin Bard, who joins the Whites on an initial loan deal.The 25-year-old becomes the sixth new addit...

Related Teams & Leagues
Tottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedChelseaSerie ASoccer

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