Bournemouth in talks with Levante over club record £27m deal for Jefferson Lerma
The La Liga side originally wanted £32m for the midfielder, but in revived talks with the Spanish side Bournemouth are preparing a club-record bid
BOURNEMOUTH are reportedly preparing to make their second move for Jefferson Lerma, after their first offer was rejected.
The Cherries put an offer of £22.2m on the table, but Levante rejected it on the grounds that it wasn't as high as the price tag that they had put on their star player.
The La Liga side originally wanted £32m for the midfielder, but in revived talks with the Spanish side Bournemouth are preparing a club-record £27m bid.
Lerma, 23, was disappointed that Bournemouth's first offer was rejected after he made it clear that his ambition was to play in the Premier League.
But that didn't stop other European clubs preparing bids for the player.
However, they too fell short of the La Liga side's asking price, as several Bundesliga clubs were not believed to be prepared to spend more then £10m on the midfielder.
Lerma has featured for the Levante since 2015 after moving from his native Colombia.
And no-doubt English fans will remember Lerma from the World Cup as he appeared for Colombia in their clash with the Three Lions.
Lerma featured in all four of his country's fixtures during the tournament in Russia and would certainly add some bite to Bournemouth's midfield.
He took his total number of caps to nine since making his international debut in 2017.
Eddie Howe has already brought several players to Bournemouth to give them their first taste of Premier League football.
But Lerma is believed to be his top target before the transfer window slams shut.
David Brooks and Diego Rico both arrived at the Vitality Stadium this summer
But Bournemouth are struggling to hold onto players too and are believed to be trying to fend off advances from Tottenham for their young midfielder Lewis Cook.
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