Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick might be slightly frustrated with something that one of his player’s agents have just said.
Middlesbrough enter into yet another crucial summer transfer window with some key additions needed across the pitch.
There’s a sense that Boro, who finished the 2023/24 Championship campaign in 8th, could become real promotion candidates next season if they can get their summer business spot on.
Carrick somewhat defied expectations this season given the amount of injuries he’s had in the side and some of the poor signings the club made last summer.
So he’ll be hoping for more luck on the injury front and in the transfer market, and he’ll be hoping that Middlesbrough don’t offload any of their key players too.
But recent comments from Emmanuel Latte Lath’s agent may well frustrate the Middlesbrough boss.
Emmanuel Latte Lath agent speaks out on Middlesbrough future
Quoted by TeessideLive, Late Lath’s agent said with regards to Latte Lath’s debut season at Middlesbrough and the summer ahead: “If I had to look at it from the point of view of maturation and what he has done this year, I can tell you that he’s ready [to play in a top division].
“Then we’ll have to make the appropriate evaluations, bearing in mind that he has a contract with Middlesbrough, where he’s aiming to do a top-level championship and try to win the league.
“Having to look around is not our first objective, but we know that strikers are rare commodities and anything can happen… We are certainly attentive to those steps that can represent growth for the player. Without having the need and the desire to necessarily do something.
“He’s doing well at Middlesbrough, the club loves him and he has a contract. We have to understand what will happen, because being a striker we know that some offers will arrive, but they will have to be carefully evaluated.”
Reports say that Middlesbrough paid a reported fee of around £4milion to Atalanta to sign Latte Lath last summer.
The 25-year-old would go on to score 16 goals in 30 Championship outings for Middlesbrough during his maiden season at the Riverside.
Hidden message over Emmanuel Latte Lath Middlesbrough future
Latte Lath signed a four-year contract with Middlesbrough last summer, so Boro and owner Steve Gibson are under no real pressure to sell the striker.
But Gibson showed in January that he’ll cash in on a player if the offer is right, with Morgan Rogers going to Aston Villa in £16million deal, after just half-a-season at the Riverside.
And we could expect the same outcome if a suitable offer comes in for Latte Lath this summer. But Carrick won’t want to see the Ivorian sold and Middlesbrough left wanting at a play-off spot again next season.
But whether or not an offer comes in, comments from Latte Lath’s agent seem very peculiar; it seems as though he’s putting the feelers out for a potential summer move despite just one season at the club.
Middlesbrough gave Latte Lath his big move to England and Carrick is getting the best out of him. What Latte Lath’s stance on his Boro future is remains to be seen, but Carrick surely won’t want this kind of noise coming from a player’s agent.
Interest in inevitable when player’s are doing well. But these sort of comments can create a false perspective and it could easily cause a fall out if Latte Lath hears these comments and starts to think that he should be on the move.
What comes of these comments, and what happens with Latte Lath in the summer remains to be seen; if he’s sold then Carrick needs a replacement, if he’s kept around then Middlesbrough have a star striker for next season.