Some Leeds United supporters have called on owners 49ers Enterprises to provide manager Daniel Farke with the funds to sign a new No 9 in the January transfer window. Neither Joel Piroe nor Mateo Joseph have managed to nail down the lone striker role.

It is hard to criticise Piroe's attacking output. The Dutchman has contributed 10 goals and four assists in 25 Championship appearances this season. But Piroe's performances, particularly away from Elland Road, have flattered to deceive at times.

Numerous outlets have suggested the Whites are contemplating entering the race to sign Middlesbrough star Emmanuel Latte Lath. Give Me Sport are the latest publication to report United are considering tabling a bid to sign the striker to boost their hopes of securing promotion back to the Premier League.

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GiveMesport claim Boro are willing to cash in on the Ivorian if their demands are met. Premier League trio Ipswich Town, Leicester City and West Ham United are also said to be big admirers of the player.

Latte Lath has been a big hit since moving to Teesside in the summer of 2023 for a fee around the £4m mark. He registered 16 goals last term as Middlesbrough narrowly missed out on the play-offs. The 26-year-old has been in excellent goal-scoring form this time around, directly contributing to 12 league goals.

It has been claimed Middlesbrough will entertain offers for Latte Lath in the region of £15m. Latte Lath still has two-and-a-half-years left to run on his Boro contract.

McAtee update

Manchester City youngster James McAtee was on a long list of attacking midfielders United targeted in the summer transfer window. The England Under-21 international enjoyed two impressive loan spells with Sheffield United both in the Premier League and Championship.

But McAtee has found regular first team football hard to come by since returning to City. Boss Pep Guardiola has previously stated he does not expect McAtee to leave before the end of the month.

The Guardian have reported Fulham are keen on signing McAtee on loan. McAtee, a graduate of City's youth system, has also been tracked by West Ham United. Ipswich have also shown interest in the 22-year-old, who is contracted to the Premier League heavyweights until the summer of 2026. He remains highly-regarded at the Etihad Stadium and it is thought it would cost about £20m for Guardiola's team to consider letting him go.

Given the fierce competition for McAtee's signature, expect United to look elsewhere in their search for a new No 10 to compete with Brenden Aaronson for a starting spot. Real Salt Lake star Diego Luna is rumoured to be on their radar.

Sheaf rumours

Central midfielder is one of, it not the strongest, areas of United's team. Daniel Farke's options include Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rothwell, Ao Tanaka, Ilia Gruev and Josuha Guilavogui. Bulgarian international Gruev is on the comeback trail from a serious knee injury suffered at the start of October.

Yet the Whites are reportedly keeping tabs on Coventry City ace Ben Sheaf. Frank Lampard’s side are said to be under pressure to balance the books and Sheaf is valued around the £8m mark.

When quizzed on speculation linking Sheaf with a move away from Coventry, Lampard said: "No, only that I knew that they are rumours I’ve heard them as you have, so yeah, I want to keep the players here.”