Bournemouth have accelerated their defensive restructuring with the imminent signing of Bafode Diakite from Lille OSC in a deal worth up to £34.6m, BBC Sport can exclusively reveal.

Key Transfer Details

• Fee Structure: £30.3m upfront + £4.3m performance-based add-ons
• Contract Terms: Five-year deal with option to extend
• Medical Status: Completed successfully in London

Player Profile

• Age: 24
• Position: Center-back (can play right-back)
• Experience: 85 Ligue 1 appearances, 10 UCL matches (2022/23)
• International: France U21 capped

Tactical Analysis: Diakite's arrival addresses Bournemouth's defensive crisis following the departures of:

1. Milos Kerkez (£40m to Liverpool)
2. Dean Huijsen (£50m to Real Madrid)
3. Illia Zabarnyi (£63m PSG-bound)

Summer Transfer Strategy

Market Reactions

• Lille President: "We're losing a generational talent, but this fee allows reinvestment"
• Transfer Expert Fabrizio Romano: "Diakite's physicality and progressive passing make him ideal for Premier League adaptation"
• Fan Forum Poll: 78% approve of the signing despite price tag concerns

What's Next?

Bournemouth remain active in the market with:

• Josh Acheampong (Chelsea) negotiations ongoing
• Loic Bade (Sevilla) monitoring despite Leverkusen interest
• Eli Junior Kroupi set for first-team integration after Lorient loan

The Vitality Stadium hierarchy aims to complete all business before August 10th, with Diakite potentially debuting in their Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest.