Ipswich Town are reportedly making a dramatic last-minute bid to secure Middlesbrough’s 18-goal striker, Emmanuel Latte Lath, as manager Kieran McKenna looks to strengthen his squad for an arduous Premier League campaign.
According to The Daily Mail, the Tractor Boys are targeting the Ivorian forward as an alternative after their previous move for Chelsea’s Armando Broja fell through.
Latte Lath joined Middlesbrough from Atalanta last summer on a four-year deal, and despite initial skepticism about his transfer—following a relatively unremarkable stint in the Swiss Super League with St. Gallen—he quickly proved his worth.
After a sluggish start, with only four goals in his first 12 league appearances, he exploded in form, netting 11 goals in his final 12 matches of the 2023/24 season. His impressive performance earned him the Championship Player of the Month award for April, though Middlesbrough fell just short of the playoffs, finishing eighth.
The sudden surge in interest from Ipswich, coupled with the ticking transfer deadline, has caught many off guard. Middlesbrough will be reluctant to part with their key striker at this stage, especially given their tight timeframe to find a suitable replacement.
The pressure is compounded by the imminent departure of young forward Josh Coburn, who is set for a loan move, with Millwall and Preston among the potential suitors. Losing both Coburn and Latte Lath in quick succession would leave a significant void in Middlesbrough’s attacking lineup.
Ipswich’s potential deal for Latte Lath could hinge on Middlesbrough’s ability to secure a replacement, with Leicester’s Tom Cannon reportedly a target.
However, negotiations for Cannon would need to be accelerated to meet the looming transfer deadline. The stakes are high, and whether Ipswich can pull off this high-risk move remains to be seen.
