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Sunderland Gain Edge in £34.7m Diakité Chase After Bournemouth Exit—Why the Black Cats Must Now Strike Fast
Sunderland’s pursuit of Lille’s highly-rated defensive talent Bafodé Diakité has taken a positive turn, despite their initial £23m offer being knocked back. While Bournemouth had also entered the fray with a higher bid close to £26m, they’ve now cooled their interest and moved on to other targets, according to The Mirror. That leaves Sunderland in a stronger position to land the 24-year-old, although they’ll still need to match Lille’s valuation, which stands at a firm £34.7m.
Diakité, who came through Toulouse’s youth system and made his senior debut at just 17, has developed into a mainstay at Lille since his 2022 move, which cost the French club just over £2.5m. He’s featured in 112 matches for Les Dogues including 48 appearances last season initially impressing at fullback before transitioning into a central defensive role, where he’s since excelled. Although Diakité is eager to test himself in the Premier League, he’s reportedly willing to leave his fate in the hands of club president Olivier Létang.
Defensive Reinforcement Now a Priority
Following their dramatic promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs, Sunderland have had an active summer window under new boss Regis Le Bris. Despite the departures of rising stars Tom Watson and Jobe Bellingham to Brighton and Borussia Dortmund respectively, the Black Cats have flexed their financial muscle by spending over £100m most notably on midfielders Habib Diarra and Enzo Le Fée, both tied down through Le Bris’ Ligue 1 connections. However, a glaring weakness remains: Sunderland have yet to secure a true centre-back, with veteran left-back Reinildo Mandava the only defensive signing so far.
Several names have been floated most recently Bologna’s Jhon Lucumí but the Colombian has turned down the move, according to 1000 Cuori Rossoblu. That rejection leaves Sunderland scrambling for alternatives as they face a looming crisis in central defence. Injuries to Luke O’Nien, Aji Alese, and Dennis Cirkin have severely limited their depth, while loanee Chris Mepham has returned to Bournemouth and is unlikely to return.
Why Diakité is the Ideal Fit
Sunderland’s current centre-back options particularly Daniel Ballard and O’Nien show promise, but both lack substantial top-flight experience, and their availability at the start of the season is uncertain due to injuries. The addition of Diakité would significantly boost Sunderland’s backline, providing not just quality but versatility and composure.
Renowned for his strength in aerial duels, tactical awareness, and ball-playing ability, Diakité’s presence would allow Sunderland to build from the back with more fluidity. His calmness under pressure and knack for holding the line could be vital in transitioning from defence to attack quickly something Le Bris has prioritized in his tactical setup. With a youthful, ambitious squad taking shape, bringing in an established, versatile defender like Diakité could be the missing piece that solidifies Sunderland’s Premier League survival hopes and fuels their long-term ambitions.
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