Bournemouth Sign Bafodé Diakité from Lille in €40m Deal as Premier League Spending Trend Shifts

Bournemouth have completed the signing of French centre-back Bafodé Diakité from Lille in a deal worth €35 million plus €5 million in performance-related add-ons, marking one of the club’s most ambitious transfers in recent history.

The 24-year-old defender, who made his professional debut at just 17, arrives after an impressive spell in Ligue 1, where he made 34 appearances for Lille in the 2023–24 season. Diakité was also part of France’s Olympic squad in 2024, underlining his experience at both domestic and international levels.

The move follows Bournemouth’s reported €40 million offer on August 11, 2025, as the club sought a replacement for Illya Zabarnyi. Known for his positional versatility and aerial presence, Diakité is expected to be a key figure in manager Andoni Iraola’s defensive plans for the upcoming season.

This signing also signals a strategic shift in Bournemouth’s transfer policy. Historically viewed as a club less likely to engage in high-fee acquisitions, Bournemouth’s total transfer spend this season has now exceeded €60 million, according to Transfermarkt data.

This positions them among the more aggressive Premier League clubs in the summer market, challenging the perception that smaller sides avoid big-money deals.

Analysts suggest the investment reflects Bournemouth’s intent to consolidate their Premier League status while competing more directly with mid-table rivals.

With Diakité’s Ligue 1 experience and adaptability across the back line, the club appears set on building a stronger, more resilient defensive unit for the season ahead.