OGC Nice are monitoring Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Niels Nkounkou as they prepare for the possible departure of Melvin Bard during the summer transfer window.
Bard, a graduate of the Lyon academy, is expected to leave the Ligue 1 club, according to L’Equipe. Nice are anticipating interest from several foreign clubs before the transfer window closes and are assessing their options on the left side of defence.
Nkounkou has been excluded from the first-team set-up at Eintracht Frankfurt and has been instructed to train separately. The France defender remains under contract with Die Adler until 2028, but his current situation has prompted speculation about a possible move.
The 24-year-old is also understood to be a close friend of Elye Wahi, who joined Nice on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt. That relationship could help make a move to the Allianz Riviera a possibility, with Nkounkou potentially following a similar route to his club-mate.
Nice have yet to make a move for Nkounkou, but the former Everton defender is being considered as the club plans for a squad that may soon be without Bard. The situation could develop before the transfer window shuts, particularly if Nice receive the expected approaches from clubs outside France for the Lyon academy product.
Nkounkou’s contract with Eintracht Frankfurt runs until 2028, meaning any potential agreement would have to involve the German club. However, his separation from the first team may increase the likelihood of a departure before the end of the window.
For Nice, attention will also turn to their return to Ligue 1 action on Sunday. They travel to face Paris FC, while further transfer activity is expected before the window closes.
The club’s interest in Nkounkou comes as part of preparations for a possible change at left-back, with Bard’s anticipated departure creating uncertainty in that position. Nice will therefore continue to monitor the market while also managing their immediate domestic commitments.
