Middlesbrough 'don't need' to rival Burnley for high-profile transfer | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have been warned against a move for a former player, with Burnley eyeing a transfer deal this summer...

Middlesbrough have signed Will Lankshear from Tottenham Hotspur but their former striker is being linked with a move to Burnley, with Emmanuel Latte Lath sold back in January 2025 to Atlanta United.

Emmanuel Latte Lath scored 27 goals in 59 appearances in the Championship for Middlesbrough, with 29 goals and four assists in 67 games overall for the club before Atlanta United swooped in for a fee of around £22.5 million (BBC Sport).

It's claimed Burnley have made an offer recently for Latte Lath, with the Clarets wanting to seal a loan-to-buy deal this summer. Since his switch to the MLS, the 27-year-old has managed just 11 goals and four assists in 48 matches and a return to England could be just the tonic.

Latte Lath shone for Michael Carrick in a system that played heavily to his strengths, allowing his pace and movement to shine. Outside of such an attack-minded setup, he has struggled somewhat. Nicky Hayen's Burnley could prove to be a good move for the Ivorian.

The Middlesbrough verdict as Burnley make Emmanuel Latte Lath bid

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Following Burnley making a move for the ex-Middlesbrough striker, we asked FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit Liam Day about the situation. If he signs for the Clarets, does he believe Latte Lath come back to haunt Boro this coming season back in the Championship?

We also asked if it is worth Boro potentially getting in the mix for Latte Lath, or if a striker is the last thing the club need now after signing Lankshear. He said: "If you had asked me, maybe last week, I'd have probably given a different answer.

"But with Will Lankshear coming in? I don't feel we need Latte Lath.

"Is he a good player? Absolutely. But when he was at the club, he was desperate to leave the whole time.

"Whilst I would like to have a Latte Lath-type player in the team, with pace and just causing chaos, that's not what Boro should really do.

"Not with the finances that are likely to be involved in a deal anyway. I think he will probably find form again. He was on and off at Boro, but when he was on it? Jesus, what a player he was.

"So, I do think he could find a bit of form. He might fit the way Burnley want to play. They'll obviously create quite a few chances. I think he could do well.

"And I hope he does."

Why Middlesbrough should have no concerns over Emmanuel Latte Lath

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Burnley may have concerns over Latte Lath, but Middlesbrough should have few concerns if Burnley succeed in signing him because they now appear better placed with Lankshear leading the line for 2026/27.

Kim Hellberg's attack-minded approach is one that could have suited either striker, but Lankshear arguably offers the higher ceiling thanks to his age and greater scope for development. The former Tottenham Hotspur youngster also looks capable of becoming a more complete centre-forward, should he get better at his link-up play and combine it with an already strong goalscoring instinct.

Latte Lath's best form in his career has undoubtedly come in the Championship, but much of that success arrived in Michael Carrick's expansive system, which created plenty of opportunities for a pacey striker to exploit. There remain questions over his consistency and all-round game, meaning Middlesbrough are arguably better off building around Lankshear's long-term potential.

If Burnley land Latte Lath, Boro should feel confident they already have the more exciting option for the future. But football can work in strange ways and it would not be altogether surprising to see the Ivorian bag against his former employers, even if many of their players are incredibly familiar with the way their former teammate plays the striker role.