Manchester United are in contact with Nice defender Melvin Bard as the club focuses on signing a new left-back this summer.
The 23-year-old is being discussed as one of the club’s targets to bolster their squad and is already playing under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS ownership in France.
Bard, an attacking left-sided option, has excelled in Ligue 1 this season and is pushing for his maiden France call-up ahead of Euro 2024 this summer.
A move to Old Trafford could benefit both INEOS-affiliated clubs. Bard has just two years left on his current contract and talks are expected over a new, improved deal in the coming months.
United had been exploring options at right-back in January but now believe a left-back signing is more important, given the injury issues suffered by Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia this season, while right-sided duo Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have impressed in recent weeks.
Ratcliffe is making significant progress in planning for the summer. After recruiting sporting director Dan Ashworth from Newcastle, who is on gardening leave until 2025, the club are set to bring in Jason Wilcox as his deputy from Southampton.
Wilcox has already begun his 12 months of gardening leave but United are expected to pay a substantial sum, although much less than it would take for Ashworth, to release him from his contract before the summer transfer window.
United also want a forward capable of playing alongside an improving Rasmus Hojlund, a centre-back and a midfielder. Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, who grew up supporting United, is among the attackers being considered. Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite are additional options at the back.
Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood, Antony, Raphael Varane and Casemiro could all be sold.
