AFC Bournemouth are ‘determined’ to secure the services of Levante defender Jefferson Lerma this summer.
The 23-year-old was part of Colombia’s squad at the 2018 World Cup and made two starts, including one against England. He is currently on holiday and therefore not part of the Spanish club’s preseason squad.
Lerma signed a new contract earlier in May. His current deal at Levante runs down in 2022 and he has a release clause of €60m in his contract, according to Mundo Deportivo. Reports in England claim Eddie Howe’s side had made an offer of €36m for the midfielder.
Sources close to the Catalan newspaper have denied receiving a bid from Bournemouth for Lerma. Levante are willing to sanction the sale of their player if they receive a bid in excess of €20m.
If Bournemouth fail to meet their asking price, then Lerma is not for sale this summer. Later today, the English club and Levante will face each other in a preseason friendly.