Union Berlin to bring former Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath to the Bundesliga? | OneFootball

Transfermarkt lends credence to a report emerging in Britain’s Daily Mail regarding a potential Bundesliga move for Ivorian striker Emmanuel Latte Lath. The former Middlesbrough striker is evidently displeased with his move to Atlanta United in America’s MLS.  Union Berlin, meanwhile, are disappointed with the current state of their attacking corps.

No Union forward scored more than six goals over the entirety of last year’s Bundesliga campaign. Those who did contribute on the goalscoring front, such as young German prospect Ilyas Ansah and veteran Scottish journeyman Oliver Burke, proved woefully inconsistent. 

Serbian striker Andrej Ilic did register five league tallies, but found his true strength as a provider. Ilic’s 11 assists dwarfed his Bundesliga goal total. Ilic also picked up two assists to his one goal in two cup appearances. The 26-year-old counts as more of a set-piece man than an open play forward.

The FCU squad hasn’t featured a double-digit goalscorer since current Mainz 05 attacker Sheraldo Becker found the back of the net 11 times during the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign. Latte Lath possesses the profile to address that weakness.

Who is Emmanuel Latte Lath?

Latte Lath came through Atalanta’s academy and made his senior debut in an Italian cup fixture as a teenager. The Bergamo club subsequently sent him on a long sequence of loans. The striker represented Pescara, Pistoiese, Carrarese, Imolese, Pianese, Pro Patria, SPAL and St. Gallen before finally leaving Atalanta permanently.

His most convincing European breakthrough arrived in Switzerland. Latte Lath scored 14 league goals and supplied four assists in 31 appearances for St. Gallen during the 2022/23 campaign. Middlesbrough then signed him for approximately €7 million in the summer of 2023.

The Ivorian scored 29 goals in 67 competitive appearances for Boro, including 16 Championship goals during his first season. His finishing streak and pace attracted interest from several Premier League clubs before Atlanta United completed an MLS-record transfer in February 2025.

Atlanta paid approximately $22 million—just under €21 million at the time—and handed Latte Lath a contract valid through 2028 with an option for another season.

Atlanta move failed to meet expectations

Latte Lath scored seven goals and supplied one assist in 30 MLS appearances during his debut season. Atlanta nevertheless endured a disastrous campaign, finishing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference after winning only five league matches.

The striker’s estimated market value initially rose to €18 million following his record transfer, but has since fallen to approximately €10 million. This year, Latte Lath has scored two goals and one assist in 14 appearances during the current campaign. He has lost his regular starting role.

Atlanta have also experimented with using him on the right side of the attack rather than exclusively as a centre-forward. The player himself reportedly suggested the positional change, with Alexey Miranchuk occupying a deeper central role.

Union’s interest does not mean a transfer is imminent. Atlanta invested heavily in Latte Lath and retain him on a long-term contract, meaning the MLS club will presumably seek to recover a substantial portion of their original expenditure.

GGFN | Peter Weis