'Ipswich made the big offer' - Agent confirms Blues' approach for Boro striker

The agent of Emmanuel Latte Lath has confirmed that Ipswich Town made 'a big offer' for the Middlesbrough striker on transfer deadline day.

Town had been set to sign Chelsea striker Armando Broja on loan, but pulled the plug on that deal after an Achilles issue was discovered in the medical. He ultimately went on to join Everton.

Instead, Ipswich switched their sites to Latte Lath following his 18-goal campaign at Championship level. Boro, however, chose not to sell the 25-year-old Ivorian as they didn't have time to land a replacement.

It meant that the Blues went into the season with Liam Delap, an injured George Hirst and a semi-fit Ali Al-Hamadi as their three strikers. Delap, of course, has already scored six goals in a flying start to life in the Premier League, with Hirst also having had an impact since returning to fitness in September. Latte Lath, meanwhile, has scored four goals in 10 starts and six sub appearances for Boro.

Latte Lath's agent, Matthias Veneroso, told Teeside Live: “We were always aligned with the club. 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 was on the bench for four games in succession recently, but scored as a sub in two of those games. Back in the starting XI at the weekend, he provided a goal and an assist in a 5-1 thrashing of Luton.

“I’m delighted to see Emmanuel start to score goals again,” said Veneroso. “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 [Tommy] 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.”