Middlesbrough star Emmanuel Latte Lath has attracted transfer interest recently and Michael Carrick may need to replace him this summer.
Emmanuel Latte Lath joined Middlesbrough from Serie A outfit Atalanta BC in the summer of 2023.
The Ivorian was brought in to replace Chub Akpom, who left the Riverside Stadium after a 29-goal campaign.
Latte Lath had a somewhat slow start to life in England as he adjusted to Championship football.
However, by the end of 2023/24, Michael Carrick had unlocked the forward’s full potential.
Latte Lath scored 11 goals in his final 12 appearances of the campaign, pushing Boro up to eighth in the division.
Big things are now expected of the centre-forward in the 2024/25 Championship season, but Middlesbrough look set to face a fight to keep hold of their new star striker.
Latte Lath has recently been linked with a move to AS Monaco. Middlesbrough are expected to stand firm when it comes to the sale of the forward, but would be willing to sell if a huge offer came in.
As a result, Boro News have taken a look at three players Middlesbrough could sign to replace Latte Lath if he is sold.
David Fofana
David Fofan joined Chelsea from Norweigan side Molde FK in January 2023.
He is yet to break into the Blues’ senior side, making just four appearances, and has instead been loaned out twice.
The striker spent the first half of 2023/24 in Germany with Union Berlin before linking up with Burnley in January.
The 21-year-old went on to score four in 15 games for the Clarets, which is by no means a terrible record considering Vincent Kompany’s side were relegated from the Premier League.
A permanent transfer for Fofana seems unlikely, but as he is not expected to play regularly for Chelsea in 2024/25, the Blues could be open to a loan move.
Patson Daka
Patson Daka joined Leicester City from RB Salzburg in July 2021 for around £25m.
The 25-year-old went on to score nine and assist seven in 53 Premier League outings for the Foxes.
Leicester spent 2023/24 in the Championship, where Daka found the net seven times in 20 games.
Daka was not a regular fixture in their first-team last season and now they have been promoted, Leicester could be open to a sale.
The Zambia international is a very similar player to Latte Lath. Both possess electrifying pace and are able to operate well on the wings.
Cameron Archer
Middlesbrough fans will already be familiar with what Cameron Archer can offer Boro after his loan spell in 2022/23.
The 22-year-old scored 11 times in 20 Championship games as the Teessiders secured a fourth-place finish.
Archer has now returned to Aston Villa after a brief spell with Sheffield United and the Midlands outfit are looking to move him on this summer.
Middlesbrough are not thought to be actively pursuing Archer, in part due to the transfer fee required.
However, if Latte Lath is sold, the Teessiders could have enough money available to sign Archer on a permanent deal.