Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith is certain the club will be desperate not to lose Emmanuel Latte Lath this month - as he gave an insight into how the Boro dressing room would feel about such an exit.

Latte Lath has emerged as a player of interest to a number of Premier League clubs this month, having followed up his 18 goals in his first season at the Riverside with another ten so far this term. Boro are determined not to lose the Ivorian, and turned down a £20 million offer from Ipswich Town on the final day of the summer window.

Braced for new offers this month, Boro’s stance remains unchanged, but there is an understanding that offers northwards of £20m would have to be taken seriously as Latte Lath himself dreams of a top-flight move. In turn, Boro’s scouting team have been proactive and have a list of targets to turn to should anything happen this month.

READ MORE: Leeds and Burnley factor could help Middlesbrough as Crystal Palace look to Ben Doak alternative

READ MORE: The points tally Middlesbrough should be aiming for in the Championship promotion race

But the ideal for Boro will be that their valuation puts interested parties off, with Latte Lath an important part of their push for promotion in the second half of the season. Appearing as a pundit for BBC Radio Stoke on Saturday, Smith ended up discussing the situation as he discussed his own time at the club, with the lead commentator throwing in that he’d read the reports that they’d be losing the striker.

“I certainly hope not!” Smith quickly retorted. “Listen, naturally in this league, when players are doing well there will always be interest. When the window opens there are always going to be bids here and interest there.”

On why he hopes Boro keep the 26-year-old, Smith continued: “Manu is a great lad and has come in and settled really well. He’s well thought of by everyone, the fans love him and he’s a goalscorer. They’re hard to find in this day and age.

“I think the club will be desperate to keep him, but if someone comes in with a stupid bid then there’s going to be questions asked. But, from my point of view, as a team-mate, I’d be desperate to keep him, and I think the club will be.”