Middlesbrough will need to act quickly to sign a replacement for Emmanuel Latte Lath if he is sold.
Boro could be set to lose their second star striker in the space of just 12 months.
Middlesbrough finished fourth in the 2022/23 Championship season, in no small part due to Chuba Akpom’s goals.
The centre-forward found the net 29 times for the Teessiders – the most goals of any Boro player in one season since 1996/97.
Akpom was promptly snapped up by Ajax in the 2023 summer transfer window, leaving Michael Carrick needing to sign another quality striker.
The North East outfit turned to the Serie A in their search, signing Emmanuel Latte Lath from Atalanta BC.
The Ivorian had a slow start to life in England but scored 16 league goals in 30 games, including 11 in his last 12.
This form has attracted interest from around Europe, with Tutto Mercato Web reporting Wolverhampton Wanderers, RB Salbuzrg and AS Monaco are all interested in signing the striker.
Boro News reported last month that Middlesbrough need a ‘massive fee’ to sell Latte Lath, with a figure in the region of £20-£25m touted.
But as that is a pretty standard sum for many top-flight European teams, Boro may well end up losing their number nine to one of the aforementioned trio this month.
With this in mind, Boro News have taken a look at three potential replacements for Latte Lath…
Chuba Akpom
Clubs re-signing former players does not often work out too well, but a move for Akpom this summer makes sense.
The ex-Arsenal striker was never really a quality attacker until he started working under Carrick.
His 29-goal season in 2022/23 is by far and away his best return in senior football and the 28-year-old could be open to a Riverside return this summer.
He had a difficult debut season with Ajax, only making 25 league appearances and completing 90 minutes on just three occasions.
Amid his struggles for regular action, Akpom opened the door to an Ajax exit with his comments last month.
Given he would be a guaranteed starter if Latte Lath left, he has had success at the club and under Carrick previously, a Middlesbrough return for Akpom seems a wise move.
Cameron Archer
Like Akpom, Cameron Archer was a key figure for Boro when they reached the play-off semi-finals over a year ago.
However, the striker returned to parent club Aston Villa after his loan spell, with the Reds unable to complete a permanent move.
Unai Emery’s side are open to selling the 22-year-old in the current window and Steve Gibson could fund a move if Latte Lath goes.
Boro News spoke to transfer expert Graeme Bailey regarding Middlesbrough moving for Archer last month.
And while a deal was expected to be tough to complete, Bailey revealed that the club could sign the centre-forward if Latte Lath departs.
Haji Wright
Haji Wright has a very similar profile to that of Boro star Latte Lath.
The Coventry City standout is a pacey centre-forward who loves to get in behind defenders and is also comfortable playing off the left wing.
Wright also made the move to England last year and enjoyed a prolific debut campaign with Coventry.
The 26-year-old scored 16 and assisted seven in 44 Championship games for the Blues – the same goal tally Latte Lath managed at Middlesbrough.
Coventry are unlikely to be keen to sell their star forward with the new season so close, but Boro will be able to submit a sizable offer with whatever fee they get for Latte Lath.