Lille have turned down a €30 million offer from Bournemouth for defender Bafodé Diakité, firmly stating their intention to keep the highly-rated centre-back despite growing interest from the Premier League.
The English club, in search of a replacement for Illia Zabarnyi — who is edging closer to a move to Paris Saint-Germain — submitted a bid worth €30 million including bonuses.
However, the Ligue 1 side swiftly rejected the proposal, standing firm on their valuation of the 24-year-old.
Diakité, a key figure in Lille’s backline last season, featured in 48 matches across all competitions and chipped in with four goals, further cementing his reputation as one of the most consistent performers in France’s top flight.
His reliability, versatility, and leadership qualities have not gone unnoticed, with multiple English clubs monitoring his situation closely.
Despite the financial allure of a big-money sale, Lille are reluctant to part ways with the French defender unless a significantly higher offer is made.
The club sees Diakité as an essential component of their squad for the upcoming season and is not willing to let him go cheaply.
Adding to the competition, Sunderland have also expressed interest, adding further pressure on Lille’s management team.
The Championship side’s involvement has only served to intensify speculation around Diakité’s future, with reports suggesting the club could soon face an increased number of offers.
However, Lille remain calm and calculated in their stance.
The club is understood to be open to discussions only if their financial expectations are met, and they continue to see Diakité as a crucial piece in their ambitions for the new campaign.
While the player himself has not made any public statements regarding his intentions, the buzz surrounding his name in the English transfer market suggests this may not be the last bid Lille receive.
For now, though, the message from the northern French side is clear: Bafodé Diakité is not for sale — at least not at the current price.
