January is never the ideal time for any Premier League outfit – such as West Ham United or Wolves, for instance – to start making moves for a new centre-forward.
Especially when the player in mind holds a club’s promotion prospects in his hands.
That is certainly the case for Middlesbrough and Emmanuel Latte Lath, Riverside’s beloved number nine representing Michael Carrick’s best chance of bringing Premier League football back to this corner of the north east.
West Ham United watched Latte Lath – according to the reliable Gianluca Di Marzio – as the former Atalanta man fired a hat-trick past Oxford United last weekend. That took his tally to seven for the season, and five in a stunning three-game spell.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are also among Latte Lath’s admirers, per Tuttomercatoweb.
Ditto Red Bull Salzburg, the Austrian giants knocked off their perch last season as former Arsenal starlet Mika Biereth fired Sturm Graz to glory against the odds.
Middlesbrough urged to keep Emmanuel Latte Lath amid West Ham interest
Middlesbrough’s 3-1 win over Hull City on Saturday – a game in which Latte Lath was rested as Tommy Conway hit a brace – lifted Carrick’s team to within eight points of leaders Sheffield United.
And Ray Parlour, who spent three years on Riverside between 2004 and 2007, is desperate to see Latte Lath stick around until the summer at least.
“[Any bids for Latte Lath] would have to be significant,” Parlour tells Football League World. “But I do think Boro would not want to sell at any price.
“With Boro looking good for a play-off challenge this season, they must hold onto their best and influential players and Latte Lath is one of them for sure.
“He can definitely fire Boro to a big second half of the season and no way would they want to lose him. It’s taken time for Boro to gain good form. Now, they have a big chance to challenge for promotion.”
“For me, you need strength in depth and I would not want to lose players in January,” adds the former England international. “[Middlesbrough must] only strengthen, if possible.
“The second half of the season is so important to have everyone fit, and Carrick will believe that he can get his team in a good position in May ready to challenge for promotion.”
Julen Lopetegui shares Niclas Fullkrug boost for West Ham
Whether Wolves renew their interest in the well-travelled Latte Lath remains to be seen. West Ham appear to be the most active of his suitors at present, with Julen Lopetegui forced to rely upon the ageing limbs of Michail Antonio amid Niclas Fullkrug’s ongoing injury issues.
Fullkrug has only played three Premier League games for West Ham. And none since August.
The £27 million Germany international is making progress, at least, in his attempted recovery. Lopetegui said in the build-up to Saturday’s London derby with Arsenal that Fullkrug should be back in action sooner rather than later.
“I hope he is in the last part of his recovery,” Lopetegui said during a press conference. “Let’s see if he’ll be ready in the next two or three matches. I don’t know exactly but he feels better.
“We’re going to help him. I don’t want to give a timeframe but he’s closer.”