Crystal Palace already active in transfer window as they line up Bournemouth midfielder

Crystal Palace are set to sign Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma.

The 28-year-old is a free agent at the start of July.

Lerma was named the Cherries’ Player of the Year by the club’s supporters recently.

Now the South Londoners will pick him up without a fee being paid. Bournemouth splashed around £25million to acquire the Colombian from Levante in 2018.

He scored five goals in 36 Premier League matches this season. In total he has clocked up 183 appearances for the South Coast outfit.

Lerma is comfortable in both a deeper defensive role but also slightly more advanced.

His arrival will boost Palace’s options after recent confirmation that Luka Milivojevic, previously a target for Fulham last season, and James McArthur would not be renewing their deals.

Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil has sung the praises of Lerma to the Daily Echo. Asked what made Lerma such a constant in his side, he told them: “His drive, his tenacity, his commitment to the cause. They are the obvious ones.

“But he has quality as well obviously, you’ve seen he’s scored some important goals for us. Some real quality in them as well, the finish away at Fulham was a fantastic finish.

“He’s just a guy that you know you can rely on. Especially if you’re going to be in and around the scrap, he’s someone that you want on your team.

“You know what you’re going to get from him. He brings some quality, athletically still very good and has had another successful season.

“Over the last five years, he’s been one of the first names on the teamsheet fairly consistently.”