Boro talks with Atlanta over £16m Latte Lath bid

Middlesbrough are in talks with Atlanta United over striker Emmanuel Latte Lath having received a £16m bid from the Major League Soccer (MLS) club.

The 26-year-old is understood to be open to the move to the United States and has attracted interest by scoring 10 goals in 26 Championship games this season.

Latte Lath is one of Atlanta's top targets, but they have several other number nines on their shortlist.

Atlanta are targeting a marquee signing before the US transfer deadline on February 22.

After he joined Middlesbrough in August 2023 from Italian side Atalanta, Latte Lath has scored a total of 28 goals in 64 appearances in all competitions.

Losing the two-cap Ivory Coast international would be a blow for manager Michael Carrick as Middlesbrough chase promotion to the Premier League, with his side currently fifth in the second tier.

Latte Lath was previously linked with a move to Ipswich Town in the summer, while in recent weeks Carrick said he was "happy with his squad" amid speculation over the striker's future.