VALENCIA are attempting to negotiate a potential loan agreement with Cherries for star midfielder Jefferson Lerma, according to Spanish outlet Marca.

Lerma arrived at Cherries from Levante for a club-record £25million in 2018 and has gone on to become a key figure ever since.

The Colombian was one of the first names on the teamsheet under former bosses Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall and Jonathan Woodgate, featuring 113 times for Cherries, scoring six goals.

Disciplinary issues have been a problem for the 26-year-old however, receiving 37 yellow cards and two reds in his time in England. He is currently also facing a six-match ban to start the 2021-22 campaign having been found guilty of biting opponent Josh Windass during a Championship match against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough last season.

Despite protesting his innocence, Lerma was also fined £40,000 and is currently unable to feature for Cherries until September 11, when Barnsley visit Vitality Stadium. He may be available one game sooner, should Cherries progress in the Carabao Cup, with Lerma's ban understood to count across both league and cup fixtures.

According to Marca, La Liga outfit Valencia are keen to sign Lerma, but would be unable to match the price Cherries paid for him three years ago.

So they are said to be enquiring as to whether Cherries would be open to a loan agreement, without a mandatory purchase clause at the end of the season.

They are reportedly hoping to convince Cherries a season of top-flight Spanish football would raise his value more significantly than another year in the Championship.

Lerma this week joined up with Cherries' squad for their pre-season training camp in Marbella under new head coach Scott Parker.

He is eligible to play in upcoming friendlies against Real Balompedica Linense and Granada, with his suspension only applying for competitive fixtures.