Bournemouth are on the verge of completing the signing of French centre-back Bafodé Diakité from Lille in a deal worth up to £34.6m, as Andoni Iraola’s side continues a major defensive rebuild ahead of the new Premier League season.
The 24-year-old, who has represented France at youth level, will cost an initial £30.3m with a further £4.3m payable in performance-related add-ons. Once finalised, the move will make him the Cherries’ second most expensive signing in history, behind Brazilian striker Evanilson, whose transfer from Porto last summer could rise to £40.2m.
Diakite from Ligue 1 to South Coast
Diakité arrives with considerable experience, having made 85 Ligue 1 appearances since joining Lille from Toulouse in 2022. Known for his strength in aerial duels and ability to step into midfield with the ball, he played 10 times in last season’s Champions League, showcasing his capability at the highest level.
His arrival is timely for Bournemouth, who have seen their back line dismantled over the summer transfer window. Milos Kerkez departed for Liverpool in a £40m deal, while Dean Huijsen was snapped up by Real Madrid for £50m. To add to the defensive exodus, Ukraine international Illia Zabarnyi is on the brink of a move to Paris Saint-Germain for a fee that could reach £55m.
A Summer of High Turnover
With such major departures, Iraola’s recruitment team has been working intensively to reinforce the squad. Diakité will become Bournemouth’s third confirmed signing of the summer, following the arrivals of French left-back Adrien Truffert from Rennes and Serbian goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović from Chelsea.
In addition, the club secured 19-year-old forward Eli Junior Kroupi in January, but allowed him to remain on loan at Lorient for the remainder of last season to gain experience. Kroupi will now join the first-team setup and offer further attacking depth.
Despite these additions, Bournemouth are still actively looking for another centre-back before the transfer deadline. The club has been linked with Chelsea youngster Josh Acheampong, while Sevilla’s Loïc Badé was also on their radar. However, Badé is reportedly closing in on a move to Bayer Leverkusen, narrowing Bournemouth’s options.
Diakité’s Role in the New-Look Bournemouth
Diakité’s profile suggests he will be a cornerstone of Iraola’s defence. At 6ft 1in, he combines solid defensive fundamentals with composure in possession, attributes that suit the Cherries’ aggressive, front-foot style of play. His Champions League experience is expected to bring a level of composure and leadership to what will be a largely reshaped back four.
For Iraola, the challenge will be integrating several new signings quickly while maintaining cohesion in the squad. Last season, Bournemouth finished comfortably mid-table, defying early relegation predictions. The ambition for this campaign is to push further up the league, but that will depend heavily on how the new recruits settle in.
Financial Commitment Signals Ambition
The willingness to spend significant sums on reinforcements shows the club’s determination to compete. In the space of two summers, Bournemouth have sanctioned multiple high-value signings, with Evanilson, Truffert, Petrović, and now Diakité all part of an increasingly international and youthful squad.
The sales of Kerkez, Huijsen, and potentially Zabarnyi have brought in substantial funds, giving Bournemouth the flexibility to reinvest without breaching financial fair play regulations. However, with the Premier League season fast approaching, time is running short to finalise remaining deals and ensure the squad is fully prepared.
Medical and Announcement Imminent
Diakité is currently in the UK to complete his medical examinations. Should all go as expected, the official announcement could be made within days, giving Iraola a valuable addition before the final stretch of pre-season preparations.
Bournemouth fans will be eager to see if the Frenchman can anchor their defence and help the club take another step forward in the Premier League. With one major defensive signing nearly across the line and another potentially to come, the Cherries’ transfer business looks set to remain busy until the window closes.
