Leeds sign Bard on loan after Mudryk move collapses

Leeds United's pursuit of Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk collapsed on transfer deadline day, with the Ukrainian international securing a loan move to Tottenham Hotspur instead. The development came as the Whites completed a deal for Nice left-back Melvin Bard and weighed up a late offer for Wolves striker Hwang Hee-chan, capping a busy end to the summer window. Leeds had been in discussions to sign Mudryk on a season-long loan, but the player's preference was to remain in the Premier League. Tottenham ultimately agreed a deal with Chelsea that included a £75 million option to buy, a figure Leeds were unwilling to match. The rejection left manager Daniel Farke's side needing to pivot in the final hours of the window. In response, Leeds moved to secure Bard on a season-long loan from Nice, with an option to make the move permanent for £5 million. The 25-year-old French defender, who can also play at centre-back or left wing, arrived for a medical and is set to provide competition and cover for Gabriel Gudmundsson.