Emmanuel Latte Lath's agent breaks silence on Ipswich's failed transfer bid and Middlesbrough future

Emmanuel Latte Lath's agent Matthias Veneroso insists the striker remains completely focused on helping Middlesbrough achieve their promotion goals. Veneroso hopes the striker's recent return to goal-scoring form has proven his commitment to the club after a dramatic end to the summer transfer window.

Having ignored prior summer enquiries that fell way short of Boro's valuation, there was drama on the final day of the summer transfer window when newly-promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town tabled a late £20 million bid for the Ivorian. It followed an excellent first season at the Riverside as he fired 18 goals for the club.

With Boro turning the Ipswich bid down, the striker remained at the club beyond the window. But he struggled for goals in the aftermath and would lose his place in the team recently. Despite that, staying hungry to succeed, he goes into the current break with three goals in five games, and he returned to the starting line-up for the victory over Luton Town.

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Speaking for the first time since the summer transfer window, Latte Lath's agent told Teesside Live: “I’m delighted to see Emmanuel start to score goals again. It has been a tough period for him. There was some frustration after the last day of the window - but not because of the club or anyone personally.

"It was simply an unexpected opportunity to realise a dream - he has always wanted to play in the Premier League. That would have been a huge moment for him and would be life-changing economically and professionally. Before and immediately after, he was, of course, focused on Middlesbrough, but he is human too.

"When something so huge came as a surprise, it was a strange moment for him too and not easy to manage. Since then, it’s not been easy because the team have not always been getting the results they want. Emmanuel was often playing well but not getting the goals, and of course, as a striker, you want goals above all else.

"It’s been a bit like a rollercoaster - always up and down - and that’s been a tough moment, not just for Emmanuel but also for the team. He came out of the team for a little bit, which is understandable because in Conway Middlesbrough have another very nice striker, and one who knows the league well.

"Now though, Emmanuel is coming back and has scored three goals recently, two of which were from the bench, which I think proves how focused he is and that he has the right attitude - always wanting to score to help the team. Everyone is happy and hopefully Middlesbrough can move forward and into the play-off group.”

It goes without saying that Ipswich's offer was an attractive one - for both the player and the club in the current financial climate. It would have been a huge help for a club that spends more than 100 per cent of it's guaranteed revenue on player wages alone, while for Latte Lath it would have seen him almost double his salary and move up a division.

The bid was ultimately rejected by Boro though, with the club deciding that it was just too late in the window to replace him. It caused further drama as Boro were travelling that day to take on Cardiff City though, with the logistics of the potential move, and the uncertainty around it at that time, meaning Latte Lath initially didn't travel to the Welsh capital.

“We were always aligned with the club," Veneroso continued. "There was no urgency to sell the player in the summer, from the club or ourselves. Of course, after scoring 18 goals last season, there was expectation for some offers. But we always wanted to keep the same strategy together with the club.

"There were some conversations earlier in the window, but it was always clear that it would have to be special, for the player and the club, to be even considered. Of course, on the last day, Ipswich made the big offer. It was a strange time because it was such a big offer that needed consideration from everyone. That’s ultimately why he couldn’t travel to Cardiff with the rest of team.

"But, in the end, the club decided that they could not sell the player because they couldn’t face the season with just one striker. That was the club’s final decision. I think it showed how committed Emmanuel is that he straight away wanted to travel to Cardiff and be with his team-mates because he wanted to play his part and help his team win. I think that was a good signal where he said, ‘I am here and I want to perform for Middlesbrough’. There were never any problems with anyone at the club.”

Latte Lath appearing to rediscover his form of late is a good sign for Boro and their promotion aspirations. But, of course, there is another transfer window just around the corner. January will potentially see Boro's resolve tested once again on key players like Latte Lath, particularly if he does carry on his recent return to form.

But Veneroso added: “Right now, all Emmanuel is focused on is Middlesbrough and showing everyone he can score goals again. The last games showed his attitude, mentality, and feeling towards the club. He has a great feeling with the fans and his team-mates.

"Everything is okay and now his mind is 100 per cent focused on Middlesbrough - that’s always been the case, but of course, there was a time where there was a lot going on his head. He is human and it’s normal. The player is happy and, we hope, coming back to his level. He’s scoring goals, and he’s helping the team.

"We will not be pushing for anything or forcing anyone. Emmanuel is just focused on Middlesbrough and helping the team achieve their goals. We know football - he is a striker and if he scores more goals, it could be that he is interesting for clubs everywhere. But this is not something that we are predicting and we won’t push for.

"As was the case in the summer, everything will be in line with the club and we will find solutions for anything that might come up with the club that works out for the best of the club. The goal at the beginning of the season for the club was to fight to go up to the Premier League and this remains a possibility right now. That is the only focus for everyone right now. In this moment, I think the club really want to be promoted and really want to keep all the best players that they have.”