"I wouldn’t be surprised" - Emmanuel Latte Lath transfer claim made as Middlesbrough star shines | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Emmanuel Latte Lath has enjoyed his best goal-scoring run of the season in recent weeks.

It has been an inconsistent first campaign with Middlesbrough following his summer arrival last year.

The forward has suffered injury issues that has meant he’s only featured 27 times in the Championship so far this term (all stats from Fbref).

It was hoped he could be the forward to power the team to a top six finish this year, but he has bagged just 12 goals in the league with only a few games remaining.

However, seven goals in his last nine appearances have shown what he’s capable of, with the forward hitting his stride in the closing stages of the season.

Clubs will have half an eye on Middlesbrough’s Latte Lath

FLW’s Middlesbrough fan pundit Dana Malt believes that clubs will have half an eye on Latte Lath going into the summer transfer window.

However, she expects the forward to remain at the Riverside beyond this season.

“I think it’s a really difficult question to answer in regards to what I deem Emmanuel Latte Lath to be, mostly because his season has been punctured by injury,” Malt told Football League World.

“Therefore I don’t think we’ve seen the full picture of what he can offer.

“I’m a little bit reluctant to answer that question [of how much he is worth], but I do think that teams will be looking at him with half an eye.

“I don’t think any interest, if indeed there is, will be firmed up with an offer in the summer, but he’s got plenty of good attributes.

“He’s quick, he’s agile, his movement is good, he always wants to get involved in the play, and he’s strong as well.

“Right now, what we’re seeing from him is what he’s previously lacked this season, which is composure.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there was reported interest in him in the summer, and let’s not forget that it’s not too early for him to move on either because we saw in January Morgan Rogers leave after a period of six months at Middlesbrough, so clubs can sign players a little bit early.

“Because I think clubs can see the potential of players and they want to act on that quickly, so it’s not completely out of the possibility.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen, but I think clubs might be keeping half an eye on him.”

The Serie A club will also be owed up to 10 per cent of any future transfer fee involving the striker, which will play a factor in determining his asking price.

Latte Lath’s promising end to the season is encouraging for Middlesbrough

Latte Lath’s first season in English football wasn’t looking too promising prior to this recent run of goal scoring form.

A lack of composure in front of goal was a real concern, but he has put those doubts to bed pretty firmly in the last month or so.

If he can maintain this good form going into next year, then keeping him will be a priority for the club in the summer.

The absence of Chuba Akpom this year has been quite noticeable, but Latte Lath is starting to show that he can be the long-term replacement for the forward, which is very encouraging going into next season.