Listen to the article
Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma says he would like to return to former club Levante at some point in the future. Lerma appears settled at Bournemouth and has been a regular in central midfield for Eddie Howe this term, alongside new signing Philip Billing.
The Colombia international cost the Cherries a club record £28million when he was signed from Levante after the 2018 World Cup.
He made 30 Premier League appearances and scored two goals as Bournemouth finished 14th in the table last term and would have played more but for suspensions after totting up 12 yellow cards in his first campaign on English soil.
Related: Lerma Has High Hopes After Copa Inclusion
Lerma was no stranger to bookings in Spain either, where he made 89 league appearances for Levante and collected 37 yellow cards and one red.
His all-action style was well appreciated at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia and he left on good terms, with Levante president Quico Catalan making a last-ditch attempt to keep him at the club.
Speaking while on duty with Colombia in Spain this week, Lerma made it clear that he does not rule out a return to Levante of which he has very fond memories.
In an interview with the Spanish newspaper As, he said: “I remember they were very nice moments that I spent with Levante. They were people who treated me very well. I am very grateful for what happened to me there and every time I have the opportunity I will visit them. I would like to return to Levante later.”
The la Liga club also have good memories of Lerma, who they signed for 900,000 euros from Atlético Huila in 2015.
They made a vast profit on his transfer and still lay claim to 10 per cent of any profit on his future sale by Bournemouth.
