"They have to be careful" - Pundit warns Middlesbrough as West Ham and Ipswich Town plot Latte Lath deal | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has given his reaction to reports that West Ham United and Ipswich Town are interested in Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Pundit Carlton Palmer believes Middlesbrough cannot afford to sell striker Emmanuel Latte Lath in January if they are to achieve their promotion ambitions this season.

Latte Lath joined Middlesbrough from Atalanta last summer in a deal that could eventually be worth £5.6 million, and after a slow start to his time at the Riverside Stadium, he ended last season with an impressive total of 18 goals in 36 games.

The 25-year-old was involved in a dramatic deadline day transfer saga in the summer as Premier League side Ipswich Town had a £20 million bid rejected, and he went on a lengthy goal drought after his failed move to Portman Road.

However, Latte Lath has rediscovered his form in recent months, scoring six goals in his last nine games, and he has helped Michael Carrick's men move up to sixth in the Championship table.

Unfortunately for Boro, Latte Lath's form seems to have caught the eye of other clubs, and Ipswich are reportedly set to reignite their interest in the striker in the January transfer window, while West Ham United are also said to be keen.

Speculation over Latte Lath's future has gathered pace after his agent Matthias Veneroso said that he expects "something to happen" in January, and while Carrick insists that the club are determined to come out of the window stronger than they started it, he refused to rule out the possibility that the Ivorian could move on.

Carlton Palmer reacts as West Ham United and Ipswich Town eye Emmanuel Latte Lath

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that keeping hold of Latte Lath is crucial to Middlesbrough's chances of promotion this season, but he admitted the club may be unable to prevent his departure if they were to receive a significant bid.

"West Ham and Ipswich Town have been linked strongly again with Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath," Palmer said.

"Both clubs have been monitoring the situation, along with others, and they look poised to make a move for the player.

"Latte Lath has scored seven goals in 11 games, he's the fourth-highest goalscorer in the Championship and he's still only 25, but if Middlesbrough have any hopes of getting promotion, they need to keep a player like him who is providing and scoring goals.

"He is the main reason why they have pushed into the play-off places.

"However, Michael Carrick is a very pragmatic person and he understands the way things work, he's hoping that they can keep hold of Latte Lath, but he understands that if an offer of £20 million plus comes in, there's nothing they can do about that.

"While he would like to keep Latte Lath, if somebody comes in with an offer of that magnitude, he knows and understands that the player will move on from the club.

"They are always looking to bring players in, he's done this previously before, and it's one of those things that a club like Middlesbrough have to deal with, they have to sell to bring in players.

"Season after season, Michael Carrick does a fantastic job.

"He has come out and said that he's hoping they will come out of the January transfer window stronger than they went into it, they want to make a push to finish in the play-offs this season and make a fist of getting promotion, and Latte Lath is crucial for that.

"While Ipswich need goals to keep them in the Premier League, they have to be careful and make sure that Latte Lath can score goals at that level if they are going to shell out £20-25 million.

"But compared to other strikers that might cost you £50-60 million, he could be seen as a cheap option.

"I think it's vital for Michael Carrick and his ambitions this season that they keep Emmanuel and add to the squad."

Michael Carrick will have double Emmanuel Latte Lath worry ahead of January

While they would likely have expected it, reports of fresh interest in Latte Lath will be incredibly frustrating for Middlesbrough.

Carrick will not only be worried about the prospect of losing Latte Lath in January, but after his decline in form following his failed move to Ipswich, he will also be concerned that the striker could again be unsettled by the speculation over his future.

Boro do have another prolific striker on their books in Tommy Conway, who has scored eight goals in 18 games this season, but his all-round game is not quite as strong as Latte Lath, so Palmer is right the Teesside outfit must do everything possible to keep hold of him.