Leeds United are currently involved in a transfer saga surrounding Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, with new details emerging daily.
The Whites aim to secure four signings this January, with a striker identified as a key priority for manager Daniel Farke.
While Leeds currently have Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph as their forward options, Farke is keen to bolster the squad with the addition of Emmanuel Latte Lath.
Latte Lath has caught Leeds United’s attention and is being considered as a potential target for the Yorkshire club.
Middlesbrough is reportedly seeking a fee of £15 million for the striker, and Leeds may be willing to meet these demands to secure the player during the January window.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey shared the latest updates on Leeds’ pursuit of Latte Lath with Leeds United News.
Farke’s interest in strengthening the striker position suggests Leeds are serious about acquiring the Boro forward, though they will need to carefully determine the timing of their decision.
“Latte Lath is an interesting one. January one [Leeds want him now]. Why would they want him in the summer?
“If Leeds give more than £20m for him, it would take £20m to get him.
“He reminds me of Leroy Lita, good Championship striker – lower end of the Premier League. He is what he is. If you sign him, scores three goals and gets you promoted – then it’s worth it isn’t it.”
Leroy Lita was undoubtedly a reliable Championship striker during his time with clubs like Bristol City, Reading, and Middlesbrough.
However, Emmanuel Latte Lath has demonstrated the consistency that Lita sometimes lacked. Joining Leeds could provide Latte Lath with the platform to excel in the Championship and play a pivotal role in leading the team back to the Premier League.
| Latte Lath’s Championship statistics this season | |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Chances created | 20 |
| Dribble success % | 50% (22/44) |
| Fouls won | 19 |
Emmanuel Latte Lath has thrived under Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough, but with Boro likely to aim for the playoffs at best, a move to Leeds could be more enticing due to the stronger possibility of securing Premier League football.
For Leeds, missing out on the Ivorian striker could jeopardize their promotion ambitions under Farke.
With Premier League interest waning—West Ham having withdrawn their pursuit—this might be the ideal moment for Leeds to make their move.
Leeds United’s Championship rivals set to appoint double-winning manager after unplanned exit
Leeds United’s Championship rivals, West Bromwich Albion, are reportedly nearing the appointment of Raphael Wicky as their new manager. The Swiss-born coach, who previously led BSC Young Boys, achieved a domestic double in the 2022/23 season by winning both the Swiss Super League and Swiss Cup.
Wicky is the frontrunner to replace Carlos Corberán, who departed The Hawthorns last month to take charge of Valencia after spending several years coaching in England. According to The Telegraph, Wicky is “in advanced talks” with the West Brom hierarchy, and an official announcement could be made soon.
As a player, Wicky enjoyed a distinguished career in Switzerland and Germany, securing three Swiss Cup titles with FC Sion and a Swiss Championship. In Germany, he claimed domestic cup victories with Werder Bremen and Hamburger SV in 1998/99 and 2003, respectively. Additionally, he won the UEFA Intertoto Cup with both clubs, first with Bremen in 1998 and later with Hamburg in 2005.
Wicky transitioned into coaching by working in youth setups at FC Basel, Servette, and FC Thun in Switzerland before becoming Basel’s head coach in 2017. After recording 29 wins in 51 matches, he moved on to coach the United States Under-17 team and later managed Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire. From 2022 to 2024, he managed Young Boys, where he celebrated his first major managerial success.
Corberán’s sudden departure from West Brom on Christmas Eve left the club in need of a new leader. Currently sitting sixth in the Championship table, the Baggies have a strong chance of making the playoffs, provided Wicky can build on the foundation laid by his Spanish predecessor.
