Bournemouth agree club-record deal for new midfielder

Bournemouth have agreed a club-record £25m deal for Levante midfielder Jefferson Lerma, claims BBC Sport.

Eddie Howe’s side have been pursuing the Colombia international all summer and have now made a breakthrough in talks with Levante.

Bournemouth broke their transfer record to sign Nathan Ake from Chelsea 12 months ago in a deal worth £20m but are now on the brink of eclipsing that.

Lerma is set to undergo his medical with Bournemouth this weekend and his move to the Vitality Stadium is subject to personal terms and a work permit.

Levante dug their heels in over a deal earlier in the summer, much to the dismay of the midfielder, but Lerma is set to get his wish and join Bournemouth.

The 23-year-old featured in all four of Colombia’s matches at the 2018 World Cup and will bolster Howe’s midfield options ahead of the new campaign.

Lerma will need to learn to keep his discipline in the Premier League after picking up 16 yellow cards in 26 league matches for Levante last season.

In fact, Lerma picked up more bookings than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues last season.