Crystal Palace have confirmed that they have completed a deal to sign Jefferson Lerma on a free transfer from Bournemouth, with his contract due to expire at the end of the month – amid reports Leeds earlier made an offer.
Lerma, 28, has spent the last five seasons at the Vitality Stadium, amassing an impressive 184 appearances in that time. But he has chosen not to sign new terms with the Cherries, and has moved to the Capital with Crystal Palace.
A tough-tackling midfielder, Lerma has added a goal touch to his game in 2022-23. Coming into his fifth and final year at Bournemouth, he had only managed seven goals in his previous 147 games. This term, he got five in 37.
Two of those, of course, will be remembered by Leeds fans. Lerma scored a wonderful brace for the Cherries as Gary O’Neil’s side took advantage of a beleaguered Leeds side – to win 4-1. A result that saw Javi Gracia sacked.
Reports from Spain recently said that Leeds were among the sides to make Lerma an offer in order to sign the player on a free. At the time, Leeds were still in with a shout of survival. But now, he is at Palace.
Crystal Palace confirm Lerma signing amid reports Leeds made offer
A smart bit of business by Palace. Lerma is one of those midfielders that is renowned for his tenacity and his aggression, but he is also a player with a lovely range of passing and as Leeds know, he can clearly score a goal.
Leeds making an offer for Lerma was always ambitious, and actually, Palace getting him on a free seems like a bit of a coup for the Eagles. Leeds are now fishing in a different pond since relegation. Players like him are not an option.
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