Bournemouth commence negotiations with Lille for Bafode Diakite

Bournemouth have commenced talks with Lille to sign highly-rated centre-back Bafode Diakite, according to L’Equipe.

Following the sale of Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid for €62 million and the expected departure of Ilya Zabarnyi to PSG, Bournemouth need defensive reinforcements.

Diakite has been identified as a top priority by the club’s recruitment team, who value his blend of physicality and composure.

Discussions between Bournemouth and Lille are already underway, with an official offer expected imminently.

Diakite is under contract with Lille until June 2028, and they are keen to negotiate a deal that reflects his value.

With the player valued at around €30 million, Lille are unlikely to receive anything close to the €62m windfall they got from the sale of Leny Yoro to Manchester United last summer.

Diakite formed a solid partnership with Alexsandro Ribeiro as Lille conceded the second-fewest goals in Ligue 1 (35) this season, one behind champions Paris Saint-Germain.

The 24-year-old also scored four goals, the second-most of any centre-back in the French top flight, highlighting his ability to contribute at the top end of the pitch.

He ranked fifth for accurate passing average per game (67.1) and would fit seamlessly into Bournemouth’s possession-based system under Andoni Iraola.

Securing Diakite would be a major coup for Bournemouth, helping to stabilise a defence that has undergone significant turnover this summer.

In addition to losing both of their starting centre-backs from last season, Milos Kerkez has joined Liverpool. They have already signed Adrien Truffert as a replacement.