Bournemouth target Jefferson Lerma has handed in a transfer request to Spanish side Levante, claims BBC Sport.
The Cherries have been heavily linked with a move for the Colombia international and have even had one bid rejected by Levante.
Bournemouth reportedly even bid as high as £22.2m for the 23-year-old but Eddie Howe’s side have been given a boost in their pursuit of the midfielder.
The south coast side have been relatively quiet in the transfer market but have spent in excess of £20m on two players.
Bournemouth signed Leganes defender Diego Rico earlier this week, while also wrapping up a deal for Sheffield United youngster David Brooks.
Howe is keen to bolster his midfield options this summer but it remains to be seen if Bournemouth will return for Lerma.
The Levante midfielder featured in all four of Colombia’s matches at the 2018 World Cup. He made 26 appearances in La Liga last term but will need to improve his temperament after picking up 16 yellow cards in that time.
In fact, Lerma was booked more times than any other player in La Liga last term.
