Bournemouth is reportedly making a strong push to acquire Lille defender Bafodé Diakité as a potential replacement for Illia Zabarnyi, who is nearing a move to Paris Saint-Germain. The Cherries are looking to reinforce their central defense after a series of departures this summer.

Zabarnyi's transfer to PSG is expected to be worth close to €70 million (£61m), with ongoing discussions about add-ons. His exit would mark a significant turnover in Bournemouth's defense, following the departures of Milos Kerkez to Liverpool and Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid. These three transfers combined could generate over £150 million for the club.

Diakité, a 24-year-old French defender, has emerged as a key target for Bournemouth. He has impressed with his performances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, particularly in matches against Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund. Diakité is under contract with Lille until 2027, suggesting that the French club will likely demand a substantial fee for him. Some reports value Diakité at around €30 million.

Bournemouth's interest in Diakité isn't new. Initial discussions between the clubs have already taken place. However, they face competition from other clubs, including Sunderland, who have also expressed interest in the defender. Lille reportedly rejected bids of €27 million from both Bournemouth and Sunderland. Lille is said to be holding out for a €40 million transfer fee. Diakité has supposedly agreed to personal terms with Bournemouth.

Diakité's attributes and statistics suggest he could be a valuable addition to Bournemouth. He scored four goals in the previous season, ranking second among center-backs in Ligue 1. He also had a high passing accuracy, ranking fifth in the league with an average of 67.1 accurate passes per game. His blend of physicality and composure is highly valued by Bournemouth's recruitment team.

The potential arrival of Diakité is part of a broader reshaping of Bournemouth's defense. The club has already signed Adrien Truffert. They also expressed interest in Chelsea's Josh Acheampong. Bournemouth had been tracking Nathan Zézé, but he ultimately joined Saudi Pro League side Neom.

Other players linked with a move to Bournemouth include Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, Bayern Munich winger Bryan Zaragoza, and Bayer Leverkusen winger Amine Adli.

Bournemouth's summer transfer activity reflects a significant overhaul of their squad following a successful season where they finished ninth in the Premier League. The club has generated a substantial profit from player sales and is actively seeking replacements to maintain their competitiveness.