Jefferson Lerma 'rejects multiple Bournemouth contract offers'

Lerma has spent six years with the South Coast side, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists in 181 appearances.

The Colombia international featured regularly for the Cherries in their promotion-winning campaign last term, and he has continued to play a key role since their return to the Premier League.

Lerma has started 34 of Bournemouth's 35 top-flight matches, chipping in with five goals, including a brace in a recent 4-1 win over Leeds United.

Despite being an important figure in the Bournemouth squad, Lerma's time with the Cherries appears to be coming towards an end.

Lerma's contract will expire at the end of the season, and talks over a new deal have failed to achieve a positive result.

According to Football Insider, Lerma has rejected multiple contract offers from Bournemouth, and he looks set to leave the club on a free transfer.

The report claims that with their Premier League survival all but secured, the Cherries could make one final bid to retain Lerma's services.

Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil was recently asked whether he was confident that Lerma would extend his stay with the club.

"I'm hopeful," O'Neil told reporters. "I think there is a lot of things that go on in individual decisions. If Jeff was to leave, he'd have huge respect from absolutely everybody. Fans absolutely love him and rightly so.

"He's been an incredible, and still is an incredible player for the football team, for a very long time. I'm hopeful that we will have him next season."

If Lerma does leave the Vitality Stadium, there are expected to be a number of potential suitors vying for his signature.

Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto has claimed that Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Leeds and West Ham United are all targeting Lerma.

There is also believed to be interest from outside England, with clubs in Italy and Spain monitoring the situation.