Bournemouth bring in Diakite as Zabarnyi’s replacement

Bafode Diakite has completed his move to Bournemouth, who have moved swiftly to replaceIllia Zabarnyi.

Paris Saint-Germain sealed the €66m (£57.1m) acquisition of Zabarnyi on Tuesday.

Bournemouth already had a replacement for the centre-back lined up in the form of Diakite, who has joined from French club Lille in a deal worth a reported£34.6m (€40m).

The 24-year-old played 107 matches for Lille in all competitions and could be in line for his Cherries debut in the opening match of the 2025-26 Premier League season on Friday, with Andoni Iraoloa’s team taking on reigning champions Liverpool at Anfield.

Diakite is the second-most expensive signing in Bournemouth’s history, after Evanilson, who joined from Porto last year.

He played a part in 10 clean sheets for Lille last season, while registering second among his defensive team-mates for duels won (118), interceptions (27), clearances (96) and headed clearances (58).