Deadline day scramble intensifies as the Hammers battle multiple Premier League and Championship clubs for their top defensive target

West Ham United are in active negotiations to sign Nice left-back Melvin Bard, according to trusted insider ExWHUEmployee — but they’re not the only club in the race, and time is running out fast.

The Diouf Replacement Search Has a Name

This isn’t a fresh development out of nowhere. ExWHUEmployee had previously teased that West Ham were working on a deal for a left-back capable of stepping in for Malick Diouf. Now, that mystery target has been confirmed: 25-year-old former France U21 international Melvin Bard.

Breaking the news on The West Ham Way Patreon, Ex laid out exactly where things stand:

“We can confirm that one of the left backs that West Ham have been in negotiations with today is former French under 21 international Melvin Bard, who is now 25. Talks have been ongoing with his club Nice throughout the day especially around how the deal would be structured.”

Not a Straightforward Deal

The update makes clear this isn’t simply a matter of West Ham agreeing terms and getting the deal over the line. Negotiations with Nice are reportedly centred around deal structure — suggesting fee, add-ons, or payment terms could still be a sticking point as the clock winds down.

The Competition Heats Up

Perhaps the most eye-catching part of the update is the confirmation that West Ham are far from alone in their pursuit. According to Ex, Championship rivals Leeds United are also in the mix, along with an as-yet-unnamed English club also showing serious interest.

“West Ham face competition from Leeds and one other English team it is thought,” Ex confirmed, adding that further details are expected soon.

That’s a genuine three-way scramble for a player West Ham clearly see as central to solving their left-back situation — and with the deadline fast approaching, the pressure to move quickly has rarely been higher.

There’s a Backup Plan Too

In a further twist, Ex revealed West Ham aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket. The club are also said to be in dialogue over an alternative left-back option, giving Nuno Espirito Santo’s recruitment team a fallback if the Bard deal falls through or gets hijacked by a rival.

“We are told there is an alternative left back option that we have also spoken to,” Ex added — though no further details on that target’s identity have been revealed just yet.

What This Means for West Ham

With competition from Leeds and a mystery suitor, plus ongoing structural negotiations with Nice, this deal is far from done. But the fact West Ham have a concrete alternative in their back pocket suggests they’re determined to solve their left-back problem one way or another before the window slams shut.

Expect rapid developments as deadline day reaches its final, chaotic hours — stay tuned for updates as more details emerge.