Lille turn down bids from Bournemouth and Sunderland for Bafodé Diakité
Lille have rejected two €27m bids from both AFC Bournemouth and Sunderland AFC to sign centre-back Bafodé Diakité (24), according to a report from L’Equipe. Diakité has become the priority target for the Cherries following Dean Huijsen’s (20) departure for Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain being heavily linked with a transfer for Ilya Zabarni (22). Diakité has reportedly agreed on personal terms with the Cherries.
But Bournemouth are set to be rivalled in the race to sign Diakité by promoted Premier League side Sunderland. The Black Cats have also submitted a €27m bid that Les Dogues have turned down. Given Diakité has informed the Ligue 1 side he wants to test himself in the Premier League, the prospect of joining Régis Le Bris’ side could appeal to him.
Lille are reportedly holding out for a €40m transfer fee to part ways with Diakité.
Djordje Petrovic breaks silence on Chelsea exit as Bournemouth transfer confirmed
Djordje Petrovic has joined Bournemouth from Chelsea in a deal worth £25million
Djordje Petrovic has revealed he joined Bournemouth because he “wanted to grow” with his £25million Chelsea exit now confirmed.
The 25-year-old informed the Blues he wanted to leave after no guarantee could be made of regular first-team football this season. Enzo Maresca already has Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders and Gabriel Slonina in the Blues’ ranks and, in the end, it suited both parties for Petrovic to depart.
Petrovic, who impressed on loan at Strasbourg last season, joined the club from New England Revolution in the summer of 2023 but departs after Bournemouth agreed to pay £25million for the Serbian’s services. The goalkeeper has signed a five-year deal with the Cherries and will now join up with his new teammates immediately, ahead of their pre-season tour to the US.
After the transfer was announced on Wednesday, Petrovic explained why he felt the time was right to leave Chelsea and join Bournemouth. Speaking to the official Bournemouth website, Petrovic said: “I’m really happy to be here. I came to Bournemouth because I want to grow and I want to play at the best level.
“Together with this club, with these facilities, I think we can achieve it. I want to help the team get the results, improve every day and be a better player.”
Bournemouth’s president of football operations, Tiago Pinto, added: “I’m really pleased to bring Djordje to the club. The opportunity to sign a player of his calibre in the market was one we had to take, particularly given how vital the position of a goalkeeper is.
“We have been looking for the right talent to invest in within this area of the pitch and Djordje has very impressive qualities, as well as a lot of experience for someone who is still young. We are excited that he is the one coming to join our project and look forward to working with him.”
