Diakite set to join Bournemouth for £34.6m

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Bafode Diakite has played for France at youth level Alex Brotherton BBC Sport journalist

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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