Leeds United agree deal to sign French ace on season-long loan with option to buy; Willy Gnonto latest
Breaking Leeds United early on deadline day.
Leeds United have agreed a deadline day deal to sign a French left back on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
Leeds have until 11pm this evening to strengthen their squad and reports overnight from French publication L’Equipe claimed that 25-year-old left back Melvin Bard was joining the Whites on a season-long loan from Nice with an option to buy.
The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath then reported likewise on Tuesday morning, writing that a deal had been agreed and that the defender was travelling in for a medical ahead of a sealing a season-long loan move to Elland Road.
Bard, who can also play as a left sided centre-back and left winger, has made 193 appearances for Nice during which he has scored seven goals and bagged six assists.
L’Equipe claimed that Bard would be joining for a €1m loan fee with a €5m option to buy and the YEP understands those reports are accurate.
His arrival would provide competition and cover for Gabriel Gudmundsson at left back, as well as being a possible option at centre-back or out wide.
Leeds were hoping to sign Ukraine international winger Mykhailo Mudryk on a season-long loan from Chelsea but the 25-year-old is set to join Tottenham with a reported £75m option to buy.
The arrival of another attacker is needed to allow Willy Gnonto to complete a loan move to Fiorentina.
Gnonto travelled to Italy on Monday and the winger has already been pictured in Fiorentina training gear but the YEP understands that Gnonto will only be allowed to leave if United bring in another attacker.