AFC Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma has decided to accept an offer to join Crystal Palace for free. The Colombian is also a transfer target for West Ham United.
That is according to talkSPORT, which reports that Lerma is set to quit Bournemouth at the end of his contract. The 28-year-old will see his terms on the south coast expire on June 30. But rather than delighting boss Gary O’Neil by staying, he is preparing to leave Dean Court.
Crystal Palace have offered Lerma a four-year contract to go to Selhurst Park as a free agent in the summer. He would leave the Cherries as a fans’ favourite and also leave O’Neil with a headache over replacing him. Lerma has been an instrumental part of the Bournemouth XI.
Crystal Palace are set to beat West Ham to Lerma’s transfer
Lerma accepting a free transfer to Crystal Palace will see the Eagles pip their London rivals West Ham United to the Bournemouth star. The Hammers are one of several sides around Europe with an interest in the 33-cap anchor. Lerma can also play as a centre or right-back.
Earlier this May, TEAMtalk reported that West Ham are interested in Lerma’s transfer from Bournemouth. It also cited Crystal Palace’s interest, plus admiration from Fulham, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest. Real Betis, Villarreal, OGC Nice and LOSC Lille also like Lerma.
Lerma could have been a great addition in claret-and-blue
Yet it appears the Cherries’ £25m signing from Levante in August 2018 has chosen Selhurst Park as his next destination. Lerma’s decision to accept a free transfer to Crystal Palace will likely annoy West Ham boss David Moyes. He may have been a great addition for the Irons.
Lerma, who ex-Cherries coach Jonathan Woodgate called ‘unbelievable’, has regularly been a resolute enforcer for Bournemouth’s engine room. He has also started in all of the Cerrito native’s 36 Premier League appearances so far this term. Lerma has even hit five goals, too.
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