TALKS are progressing between Middlesbrough and Atlanta United over Emmanuel Latte Lath, but a deal has not yet been finalised.

The MLS side were the first to officially bid for Latte Lath over the weekend when they tabled an offer worth up to £20m.

Boro and Atlanta officials are now in advanced discussions and while the MLS outfit are hopeful of pushing through a deal, there remains interest from several other clubs in the Premier League and overseas. It remains to be seen whether any of those clubs will firm up that interest with a bid.

If Latte Lath does go, he'll be replaced this month. While Boro didn't want to lose their top scorer, they were obviously well aware of the likelihood of further interest after Ipswich's failed bid at the end of the summer window. Potential targets have been closely monitored for the last few months.

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Ipswich are again on the lookout for a striker this month, while West Ham United - strongly linked with Latte Lath - are also in desperate need of strengthening their forward line after Niclas Fullkrug, who had been struggling for form anyway, was ruled out for three months with an injury.

The Hammers reportedly had a bid for Aston Villa's Jhon Duran knocked back earlier this week, with Villa said to value their striker at £60m.

West Ham are also keen on Evan Ferguson, who Graham Potter previously managed at Brighton, and Albion are open to the idea of a loan move for the striker this month.

Boss Fabian Hurzeler said: “We will negotiate what is important for him, what is important for his development, where he can improve the best and then we will make the decision together.

“This decision should be what is best for the player and for the club. We sent (Facundo) Buonanotte, for example, to Leicester.

“We know that the Premier League is a very good league to improve, because it’s tough, it’s intense, especially for young players. It’s the perfect environment to adapt."

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick is due to speak to the media on Thursday afternoon ahead of the weekend trip to Portsmouth.