JEFFERSON Lerma shared he would like to return to Spain one day – but insisted his full focus was on Cherries’ survival bid.

Colombian international Lerma has entered the final months of his contract at the Vitality Stadium, with the five-year deal he signed on arrival from Levante in 2018 set to expire this summer.

No final decision from either party has been made over Lerma’s contract, with full focus on securing the club’s Premier League status.

Asked if he would like to return to Spain one day, Lerma told Spanish outlet AS.com: “Of course. It is a great country to play football in and live, but now the priority is to save the team.

“My contract expires in the summer but in this moment, the most important thing for me is sporting matters, rather than contractual matters.”

Discussing the relegation battle, the 28-year-old went on to share: “It is a suffering and a constant fight. Sometimes things don’t go well, but you have to keep going. It is a difficult situation but it hardens you as a footballer.”

Cherries are next in action this Saturday, when they travel to Aston Villa. In the return fixture, a 2-0 win for Cherries at the Vitality, Lerma scored after just two minutes.