New Emmanuel Latte Lath development spells concern for Middlesbrough FC's promotion hopes | OneFootball

The latest development in Emmanuel Latte Lath’s future could derail Middlesbrough’s promotion push.

Middlesbrough will be aiming to maintain their promotion bid under Michael Carrick heading into the second half of the season.

The Teesside outfit are seeking to return Premier League football to the Riverside Stadium for the first time since 2017, and are firmly in the mix for a top six place come May.

With the January transfer window open, Boro are consistently linked with incomings to bolster the squad to maintain their rise up the table, but equally, outgoings have the potential to derail a whole campaign, and supporters will be particularly worried by the latest update on starman Emmanuel Latte Lath.

With his output a key factor to Boro hovering around the play-off places, the club will be reluctant to let him depart, but recent developments could see him make way at such a crucial point, which has the potential to leave their promotion push in ruins.

Emmanuel Latte Lath set to leave Middlesbrough as Atlanta United make their move

According to journalist Graeme Bailey on X, Middlesbrough are prepared to allow Emmanuel Latte Lath join MLS outfit Atalanta, despite missing out on striker Tom Cannon during the January transfer window.

A report by the BBC last week confirmed the American outfit were in talks over a deal for the forward, with Boro receiving a bid worth up to £20 million for the Ivorian.

The 26-year-old is reportedly open for a move to the States, and from this update, Boro are seemingly willing to accept and reinvest the funds in multiple positions to help strengthen the overall squad.

At the time of writing, Latte Lath is currently the third-highest scorer in the second tier, recording 11 goals and two assists from 27 Championship matches.

Middlesbrough have been rumoured to have tabled an offer for Plymouth Argyle's Morgan Whittaker, according to journalist Alan Nixon, as the club prepares for life without their talisman, but he would not be a direct replacement for Latte Lath, with the Pilgrims star being a right-winger.

Expected Emmanuel Latte Lath exit delivers promotion concern for Middlesbrough

It would undoubtedly be a huge blow for the Teesside club to lose such a valuable goalscorer, and there isn’t much time remaining in the transfer window to secure an effective replacement.

The striker has showcased his ruthless edge in front of goal so far this campaign, and the loss of this before a new signing can be made may leave Boro playing catch up to the rest of the teams in the play-off race.

If Latte Lath does depart, Middlesbrough would have to hope any new arrival that walks through the door will have an immediate impact at the Riverside Stadium. However, it will be tough for anyone to settle in straight away and adjust to Michael Carrick’s playing style in such a short period of time.

All the risks posed should have made Middlesbrough do all in their power to keep hold of Latte Lath and address a move away in the summer, particularly if promotion isn’t secured, so it is quite puzzling the club have taken this stance with just two weeks remaining of the transfer window.

If the club does go through with the sale, then they will have an enormous task on their hands to find a suitable replacement, and if the recruitment team fail to do so, then this decision could be the ultimate reason why Middlesbrough don’t return to the top flight this season.