Bournemouth Close to £34.6m Deal for Lille Defender Bafode Diakite
Bafode Diakite has played for France at youth level

Bournemouth Close to £34.6m Deal for Lille Defender Bafode Diakite

Diakite on Verge of Bournemouth Switch

Bournemouth are finalising the signing of Bafode Diakite from Lille in a deal worth £34.6m (€40m). The 24-year-old French centre-back will cost an initial £30.3m plus £4.3m in add-ons, becoming the Cherries’ second most expensive signing ever.

Since arriving from Toulouse in 2022, Diakite has made 85 Ligue 1 appearances and featured 10 times in the Champions League last season.

Strengthening the Backline

The move follows significant defensive departures this summer:

  • Milos Kerkez → Liverpool (£40m)

  • Dean Huijsen → Real Madrid (£50m)

  • Illia Zabarnyi → Close to joining PSG (£55m + add-ons)

Manager Andoni Iraola is reshaping his squad, with Diakite set to become the third summer signing after left-back Adrien Truffert and goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

Nineteen-year-old forward Eli Junior Kroupi has also joined, spending the latter half of last season on loan at Lorient after signing in January.

Transfer Ambitions Still Alive

Bournemouth are also monitoring Josh Acheampong (Chelsea) and Loic Bade (Sevilla), although reports suggest Bade is set to join Bayer Leverkusen.

If completed, Diakite’s transfer will be second only to the £40.2m deal for Evanilson from Porto last summer.

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