Leeds United make transfer decision on Jefferson Lerma as Crystal Palace enter race for outgoing Bournemouth ace
Leeds United have decided to drop out of the race to sign Jefferson Lerma on a free transfer at the end of the season, according to journalist Matteo Moretto.
The Whites are said to have tabled an offer for the Colombian midfielder who is out of contract at Bournemouth next month, and were hopeful of bringing him to Elland Road.
But in an update on his personal Twitter account, Moretto has claimed that Leeds have now withdrawn from the race for his signature after Crystal Palace joined the race “with force”.
“Jefferson Lerma, about to make a decision about his future,” he wrote (17 May).
“In recent days, Crystal Palace has entered the race with force, while Aston Villa, Leeds and Newcastle have dropped out. Decisive days are coming.”
Sensible
Leeds United’s relegation is not yet confirmed but it is going to be very difficult at this stage to be a Premier League side next season.
With that said the club have to be putting in place parameters to ensure they’re not overspending next season and that means looking over transfer targets.
Lerma being a free agent means he would be shrewd business, but the likelihood is that he would want pretty sizeable wages to stay in the Premier League and if other teams are entering strongly then it makes sense for Leeds to step away.
The report from Moretto also claimed that Aston Villa and Newcastle also withdrew, which suggests Palace have put a huge offer on the table and there is no point wasting time competing with that when our own future is unknown.
It’s going to be a very busy summer at Elland Road regardless of what happens, but Lerma won’t be arriving.
In other Leeds news, one Whites ace is set to join another Premier League club in a £21.75m deal at the end of the season.