Jefferson Lerma could leave Crystal Palace for Besiktas, with the Turkish club reportedly considering a move for the Colombia international before the country’s transfer window closes on Friday, September 4.
The 31-year-old remains under contract at Selhurst Park, but his position in Pierre Sage’s plans has come under scrutiny after he was omitted from Palace’s squad for the league phase of the Europa League.
UEFA confirmed on Thursday that Crystal Palace had submitted their European squad, with Lerma absent from the list. The decision has prompted renewed speculation over whether the midfielder’s time in south London is coming to an end.
Jefferson Lerma transfer interest grows
Colombia.com reported that Besiktas are among the clubs monitoring Lerma’s situation. Turkey’s first transfer and registration period runs until September 4, meaning a deal remains possible after the Premier League and most other major European windows have closed.
Palace are understood to have retained Lerma for the 2026/27 campaign, but that does not prevent the club from considering offers. The midfielder’s exclusion from the Europa League group has added to the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Lerma joined Crystal Palace from Bournemouth in 2023 after five seasons on the south coast. He had previously established himself as a combative and dependable Premier League midfielder, while also becoming a regular for Colombia.
His departure would represent another significant change for Palace, who have already seen Daniel Munoz leave and have lost defensive options including Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi. The club will now have to decide whether Lerma remains valuable squad cover or whether a move to Besiktas is the preferred outcome.
No transfer has been confirmed, and Lerma could still stay at Selhurst Park beyond the Turkish deadline. However, with Besiktas reportedly interested and his omission from Palace’s European squad raising fresh questions, the midfielder’s future is increasingly uncertain.
