AFC Bournemouth completed the signing of Jefferson Lerma from Levante last summer.
When announcing the transfer, the Cherries confirmed they paid a club-record fee to acquire the midfielder’s services, but didn’t disclose the amount. He has been a regular figure in Eddie Howe’s midfield since the start of last season.
The Premier League side made multiple offers for the Colombia international, but Levante kept on rejecting, which made the 24-year-old unhappy last summer.
However, the La Liga side finally accepted Bournemouth’s proposal, which allowed the player to complete a switch to the Vitality Stadium.
Colombia were in Valencia for their friendly against Chile last week. While speaking to Spanish newspaper AS, Lerma confessed his admiration for Levante, despite the difficulties he faced last summer.
“They were very nice moments I spent at Levante, to remember. They were people who treated me very well,” he said.
“I am very grateful for what happened to me there and every time I have the opportunity, I go to visit them. I would like to return to the Levante later on.”
Lerma’s contract with Bournemouth expires in 2023, and any Levante switch will be well into the future.
