Middlesbrough could face another summer of trying to keep hold of their prized assets.
The Teessiders have lost Chuba Akpom and Morgan Rogers in the last two windows, which has significantly damaged their hopes of promotion this season.
Boro chiefs simply can’t allow any of their standout performers to depart when the transfer window opens, or else they’ll have another season struggling to challenge the top six.
Michael Carrick has done a tremendous job since joining in 2022 and is clearly a terrific manager, but he can’t be expected to lead a team to the top six which year-on-year sanctions the sales of his best players.
With that said, Middlesbrough must retain their £4.2m player this summer, as he’s absolutely integral for Carrick.
Middlesbrough have to keep Emmanuel Latte Lath this summer
Boro signed Emmanuel Latte Lath from Atalanta last year and after a relatively slow start to his career on Teesside, he’s really found his rhythm now.
The 25-year-old has bagged nine goals in his last 10 outings, including a terrific brace against Leeds United on Monday.
Latte Lath is far and away the club’s top scorer with 16 and with the way he’s going, many feel he could win the Championship Golden Boot next season.
Such is why it is vitally important Boro fend off any interest in the summer, as he could fire them into play-offs or even the top two.
It wouldn’t at all be surprising to see top-end Championship suitors lining up for his signature and perhaps even clubs in the Premier League.
Emmanuel Latte Lath has everything to his game
As Latte Lath has settled into life at Middlesbrough, he’s started to become a real leader on the pitch.
The prolific forward isn’t just about goals, his game is far more than that, with his link-up play particularly impressive, too.
Against Leeds, he scored two very different goals which amplified how well-rounded he is as a number nine.
Latte Lath’s first effort displayed his ability to create a yard for himself in the box before unleashing a clever reverse shot and his second was cultured.
He made a brilliant run off the defender before having the awareness to loop a marvellous header over the stranded Ilan Meslier.
It really did forecast what the future may look like for the Boro forward as next season, he may well net over 25 goals in the league and be in contention for the Player of the Year award.
That’s how good he can be, so Middlesbrough have to retain his services and rebuff any forthcoming offers.