Fabrizio Romano reports that Crystal Palace have now ‘completed’ a deal to sign Jefferson Lerma from Premier League rivals AFC Bournemouth on a free transfer.
The Colombia international might not be the sort of signing that has Crystal Palace supporters counting down the days until the new season kicks off. But, on a free transfer, we may already be looking at one of the 2023/24’s most inspired additions.
Jefferson Lerma won Bournemouth’s Player of the Year award last season. With five goals, it was also the most prolific campaign of his senior career. And, at the age of 28, Lerma arrives at Selhurst Park at the peak of his powers; a clear upgrade on the departing 30-somethings James McArthur and Luka Milivojevic.
West Ham United, Nottingham Forest and Fulham have also been linked, via Teamtalk; Bournemouth confirming Lerma’s departure last week.
According to Romano, however, Crystal Palace have all-but dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s as the one-time La Liga enforcer prepares to become the first new face at Selhurst Park this summer.
Crystal Palace win Jefferson Lerma race
“Crystal Palace are set to sign Jefferson Lerma,” Romano writes on Twitter before uttering those three magical words.
“Here we go! Free transfer from Bournemouth completed, documents are sealed. Verbal agreement reached weeks ago, contract now signed. It will be valid until June 2027.”
Lerma became Bournemouth’s record signing when he joined from Levante for an eye-watering fee of £25 million back in 2018. His departure, meanwhile, will come as a major disappointment to Cherries boss Gary O’Neil.
“Jeff’s been fantastic for the club. He’s been a great signing, obviously,” O’Neil said in the spring.
“(Lerma has) been here for a long time and helped the club to promotion. He’s been brilliant for us again this season. So of course we want him to sign. We want him to stay. But, as with all new contract negotiations, every situation is sort of individual.
“I don’t want to speak for the players themselves. But obviously, from a club point of view, hopefully we manage to keep the ones that we really want to keep.”
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