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Bafode Diakite has played for France at youth level Bournemouth are close to completing the signing of French centre-back Bafode Diakite from Lille for about £34. 6m. Diakite, 24, will cost an initial fee of £30. 3m plus £4. 3m in add-ons, making him Bournemouth's second most expensive signing. The defender has made 85 appearances in Ligue 1 since joining Lille from Toulouse in 2022, and played 10 times in the Champions League last season. Bournemouth broke their transfer record last season when they signed striker Evanilson from Porto for a fee that could rise to £40. 2m. Diakite is currently in the UK to complete a medical, and will become the club's third signing of the summer after left-back Adrien Truffert and goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. Nineteen-year-old forward Eli Junior Kroupi is another addition to Andoni Iraola's squad having spent the remainder of last season on loan at Lorient after joining Bournemouth. The Cherries have sold much of their starting defence from last season, with Milos Kerkez joining Liverpool in a £40m deal and Dean Huijsen moving to Real Madrid for £50m. With Ukrainian centre-back Illia Zabarnyi close to joining Paris St-Germain for £63m plus add-ons, Bournemouth are keen to sign another defender before the window closes. The south-coast club are known admirers of Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong and Sevilla centre-back Loic Bade, though the latter is reportedly set to join Bayer Leverkusen. Latest Bournemouth news, analysis and fan views Get Bournemouth news sent straight to your phone Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Community Shield: Crystal Palace v Liverpool - team news & build-up Humble, generous and a star - Jota left his mark on everyone he met Second boxer dies from brain injury after Tokyo event Special access to a US F-16 Fighting Falcon David Mitchell's Desert Island Discs from 2009 Annika returns to solve unfathomable murders The Soviet scientist who made two-headed dogs Chaos & controversy - Rashford's first two weeks inside Barca soap opera England dominate France in final World Cup warm-up match. Video England dominate France in final World Cup warm-up match How finest margins propelled Lionesses to Euro 2025 final. Video How finest margins propelled Lionesses to Euro 2025 final Barber's, F1 and smart toilets - inside Man Utd's £50m Carrington upgrade Scottish Premiership - All you need to know this weekend Root on grandad's love & having Jessica Ennis-Hill's number. Video Root on grandad's love & having Jessica Ennis-Hill's number 'Allez Vicky' - Mboko, 18, emerges as tennis' new star Who is most likely to challenge Liverpool this season? When England won by two runs - the greatest ever Test match? Video When England won by two runs - the greatest ever Test match? Chelsea academy sales top £250m in three years as Broja joins Burnley My 30-year-old world record 'not a good sign for athletics' - Edwards When do top European leagues start - and who will star? Can Salah do it again? Avoid Mbeumo & Cunha? Five key FPL questions Why is it so hard to break into the NFL? Meet post-grad medic who stunned Muir at UK Champs Bring back the Delap delivery - how to make throw-ins a weapon How will Russell feel about Mercedes contract saga? Lions tour awards - best player, moment and try, and a word on the Welshman. .. 'One of the great Test matches' - India earn series draw with narrow win. Video'One of the great Test matches' - India earn series draw with narrow win 'I needed to get myself together' - Fitzpatrick on finding form Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.