Club identify Bournemouth man as potential signing – Added him to transfer list

Besiktas are eyeing a move for Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma in the summer if he becomes available on a free transfer as expected.

That’s according to Sabah, who say the Turkish side have added him to their list of transfer targets ahead of the summer window.

Lerma is out of contract at Bournemouth at the end of the season and yet to sign a new deal with the Cherries to extend his stay at the club.

He’s been with the Cherries since a €30.5m move from Levante in 2018, racking up 171 appearances in all competitions to date.

His contract situation means he is an attractive prospect, though, with clubs free to talk to him regarding a pre-contract agreement under the Bosman ruling.

Besiktas are yet to do that, it seems, but Sabah say he is on the list of players that they are looking at to strengthen their squad.

They explain that the club’s technical team have ‘determined’ which positions needs strengthening for next season and one of those is the number six spot in midfield.

That’s been left vacant by the departure of Josef de Souza, and Lerma is being eyed as a replacement, with the club focused on players whose contracts will expire in the summer.

There is no mention of whether they have been in contact with the Bournemouth man about a move as yet, just that he is on their list of options, making him a name to keep an eye on.