Article by Daniel Grigore – published Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 15:18 / Updated Wednesday, August 13, 2025 15:18
35 million euros cost Bournemouth Bafode Diakite, an international French 24-year-old from Lille, France.
Bournemouth formalized Baffode Diakite on Wednesday. The French central defender costs 35 million euros on “cherries”, being the second most expensive transfer in the history of the club, after FC Porto's former player, Evanilson. Transferred in the summer of 2024 for 37 million euros, the Brazilian has so far scored 12 goals in 34 appearances.
Bournemouth announced the second most expensive transfer in club history
Bournemouth announced Diakite one day after confirmed Zabarnyi's departure to PSG.
The English club needed new faces in the defensive compartment after sold to Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid) and Ilya Zabarnyi (at PSG), respectively on the left defender Milos Kerkez, sold at Liverpool. Kepa Arizabalaga, the goalkeeper whose loan from Chelsea, has left.
Diakite has played in Lille in the last 3 years, after learning football and debuted in Seniors in Toulouse's colors.
“We are pleased to receive Bafode at Bournemouth. He already has many matches, although he is still at the beginning of his career. His ambition fits perfectly with this club,” commented Tiago Pinto, Bournemouth's football operations, quoted to Bola.
“I know that the coach (No – Andoni Iraola) has excellent ideas, which allows us to play well in the Premier League. Now that I am at the club, it is a good opportunity to show how I can help the team now. I am a central defender who likes to have the ball. I hope to prove my qualities with and without ball, “commented Diakite, who will wear the T-shirt with number 18.
Bournemouth begins his adventure in the Premier League against Liverpool champion on Anfield, Friday, August 15th. The “cherries” bought this summer the goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic (Chelsea, 29 million euros) and the left defender Adrien Truffert (Rennes, 13.5 million).
