THERE'S been no contact between Leicester and Middlesbrough over Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Reports emerged late on Thursday night claiming the Premier League side were close to agreeing a £12m deal to sign the striker.

But Boro have not been approached by Leicester.

And if any clubs are serious about signing Latte Lath this month, they'd have to pay significantly more than £12m.

Boro rejected Ipswich's £20m approach on deadline day in the summer and Latte Lath has since enhanced his reputation with nine Championship goals.

Ipswich and West Ham have both been linked with moves for the striker, whose agent Matthias Veneroso, recently added to the speculation when he said he "expects something to happen in January".

He said: "He is a striker and strikers are always the subject of attention in the January transfer window."

On the back of those comments, Boro boss Michael Carrick said: "The speculation doesn't really make a difference for us. We're in control of a lot of things. There's always decisions to be made.

"But we're happy with the squad we've got and we want to come out of January as strong, if not stronger, than we're going into it. We'll do everything we can to do that."

Latte Lath is currently Boro's only fit striker, with Tommy Conway sidelined with a hamstring injury.