"Really bizarre" - Pundit hands Leeds United warning over Middlesbrough transfer | OneFootball

The Whites are reportedly interested in completing a £15m deal for the Middlesbrough striker.

Carlton Palmer has warned Leeds United that they may find it extremely difficult to work a deal for Middlesbrough's Emmanuel Latte Lath, amid reports that Daniel Farke's side are showing an interest in the striker.

The Whites are not the only club who have the 26-year-old on their radar, with Premier League side West Ham United also keen. However, according to Football Insider, there is a £15m price tag on the Boro star.

Latte Lath has scored 10 goals in the Championship so far this season despite a slow start, and his ability to find the back of the net has been a key reason behind Middlesbrough's play-off push throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

But, Leeds, who are currently top of the table, are hoping that the Ivorian striker will join them in their quest to win the league title and return to the Premier League after relegation two seasons ago, with their interest serious, as per GiveMeSport.

Palmer predicts Leeds difficulty in potential Latte Lath deal

The Whites are in an incredibly strong position for the second half of the campaign, but Farke is set on improving his striking department ahead of the run-in.

Joel Piroe has scored the same number of goals as Latte Lath, however, Leeds will want as much strength up front as possible with the top four separated by just four points after 26 games.

Nevertheless, former England and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Palmer believes that an agreement could be more difficult to make than it seems.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, he said: "The news coming out of Elland Road is that Leeds United are showing serious interest in Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath.

"Middlesbrough are in fifth place, in a play-off position. He’s scored ten goals, and they're not in a position where they have to sell the striker, and why would they sell the striker to a rival? It's believed that they turned down £20m in the summer transfer window from Ipswich Town, so, I can't see how they are going to sell him to Leeds United for a reported £15m when they've already supposedly turned down more.

"Apparently, Leicester City were also interested in him with a bid of £12 million. I can't see it happening. Michael Carrick is in the position of trying to get his side promoted to the Premier League.

"I know his agent's been making a lot of noise, but you're not going to sell a player who you brought into the club, who's taken a bit of time to get going and has now got going. He's now scoring goals, and he's pushing them towards the Premier League. You're not going to sell that player in the January transfer window unless you get a ridiculous offer."

Palmer continued: "I know Daniel Farke is looking for a striker, and he wants to bring a striker into the football club. I mean, you don’t know if a loan deal might be done where he could buy him, and Joe Gelhardt goes the other way. It would just be a really bizarre move to allow a player of his quality to go to another club that you are challenging to get promotion.

"But his agent is making a lot of noise, and if the club feels that he's unsettled, then they may decide to move him on and look for a replacement. But certainly, £15m, which is being mooted would not be accepted by Middlesbrough Football Club.

"We'll have to wait and see what happens. But like I said, I'd be very surprised if Middlesbrough were to sell him to a rival and if they were to sell him to a rival for promotion, then it'd be a lot more than £15m, I'm sure."

Emmanuel Latte Lath could seal promotion for Leeds United

While Piroe has been scoring well, Latte Lath is a step-up on the Spaniard, and he would be an excellent signing as the Whites look to win promotion following play-off heartbreak in 2023/24.

The Ivorian's movement off the ball is perhaps the best in the division, and he is a constant nuisance for defenders. His ability to drift behind his opponent's backline undetected would be a game-changer for Leeds, and their creative midfielders would link up incredibly well with him.

Farke has proven his ability to win promotion out of this division in the past with Norwich City, and he did so with an incredibly clinical striker in Teemu Pukki. Latte Lath can play a similar role for him, and then be a threat in the Premier League as well.