GARY O’Neil is “hopeful” that Jefferson Lerma will remain at Cherries beyond the end of his contract, stressing there was no doubting the player’s commitment to the club.

The Colombian’s current deal expires this summer, with Lerma open to a return to Spain.

He first joined Cherries in 2018 from then La Liga outfit Levante for a club record £25 million, signing a five-year contract at the time.

Despite being regarded as one of Cherries’ best players, he remained loyal to the club following their relegation from the Premier League in 2020, helping the side to a top-flight return after two years in the Championship.

Now 28, Cherries will not be entitled to any compensation if he decides to depart for pastures new.

Whilst a final decision has yet to been made by Lerma, O’Neil pointed out that at no point could it be doubted the midfielder had not given his all to Cherries this campaign.

Lerma has missed just one Premier League game this season, playing a total of 2,895 minutes out of a possible 3,060.

In his five seasons at Dean Court, the Colombian international has made 180 appearances for Cherries, and if he plays in the remaining four league fixtures, he will reach a century of Premier League games.

Asked about Lerma’s future, O’Neil replied: “No decision made at the moment, as far as I'm aware, so hopefully he'll be here.

“Jeff's a great guy, so incredible around the place, incredible around the group, especially if you're in a relegation battle when you need to get in the trenches.

“And me, Jeff, the club, have been fully focused on that up until this moment.

“I think you've seen in Jeff's performances that there was just no doubt that he was fully committed to the cause.

“So, yeah, now that the relegation stuff is all but beyond us, then hopefully we can start to put something in place where he stays, but no confirmation either way.”

With contract talks paused during Cherries’ survival bid, there is optimism the 28-year-old could sign a new deal to remain at Vitality Stadium.”

“I'm hopeful,” responded Cherries’ head coach when he was asked if he was confident a deal could be agreed.

“I think there's 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.”