Bournemouth are pushing to sign Lille centre-back Bafodé Diakité as a replacement for Illia Zabarnyi, who is poised to join Paris Saint-Germain. The 22-year-old Ukraine defender is expected to move to the French champions in a deal worth almost €70 million (£61 million), with talks over add-ons ongoing.
Zabarnyi's anticipated departure would mean Bournemouth have generated more than £150 million this summer, following the sales of fellow defenders Milos Kerkez to Liverpool and Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid. The Cherries have already reinvested some of those funds, signing Adrien Truffert as Kerkez's replacement and Eli Junior Kroupi from Lorient.
Diakité, 24, has attracted interest from other Premier League clubs, including Sunderland, but Bournemouth are pushing to secure his signature. He was a regular starter for Lille last season. Manager Andoni Iraola wants two new defenders this summer after Huijsen's exit; the club tracked Nathan Zézé but the 20-year-old joined Saudi Pro League side Neom from Nantes.
The Cherries are also thought to hold an interest in Chelsea's 19-year-old defender Josh Acheampong. Elsewhere, Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier is primed to join PSG, casting doubt over Gianluigi Donnarumma's future. In other transfer news, West Ham have agreed an £18 million deal to sign Mads Hermansen from Leicester City, while Wilfred Ndidi is joining Besiktas after the Turkish club triggered his £9 million release clause.
