Middlesbrough have won the race to sign Ben Doak on loan from Liverpool but star striker Emmanuel Latte Lath could be on his way to the Premier League with Ipswich Town on deadline day.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
There are mixed feelings at the Riverside as the transfer window ticks towards it’s 11pm deadline for Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough side.
In Ben Doak, the Championship hopefuls are set to bring in one of the most eye-catching teenage talents in British football. HITC can confirm that Middlesbrough have fought off competition from league rivals Hull City for the Liverpool wonderkid.
But the excitement surrounding Doak’s likely arrival would be offset by the disappointment at losing Emmanuel Latte Lath.
No one scored more goals for Carrick’s team in 2023/24 than Latte Lath.
And while he started slowly – struggling initially to fill the boots of Championship Golden Boot winner Chuba Akpom – the signing from Atalanta really hit his stride after the turn of the year. The Ivory Coast international ended the campaign with 18 to his name, picking up where he left off with an opening day winner against Swansea City at the beginning of August.
Middlesbrough to land Ben Doak but could lose star striker
HITC understands that Middlesbrough are under threat of losing Latte Lath from newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
Kieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys have targeted some of the EFL’s best talent this summer, bringing in Jack Clarke from Sunderland, Jacob Greaves from Hull City and Conor Townsend following the expiry of his West Bromwich Albion contract.
Latte Lath is another on their radar, alongside Chelsea’s Armando Broja.
HITC have been told that talks have been held, and Middlesbrough would find it impossible to reject a bid over £20 million.
The former UEFA Cup finalists had also been concerned about potential late interest in much-admired midfielder Hayden Hackney and young defender Rav van den Berg, who’s older brother Sepp recently swapped Liverpool for Brentford in a big-money deal.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime kick off with Cardiff City, Riverside boss Carrick told Teesside Live that he was pleased with Boro’s desire to retain their prized assets. Though he does understand that the lack of Premier League football leaves Middlesbrough vulnerable to assaults from above.
Michael Carrick hoping Ipswich Town approach fails
“It’s fantastic for me. We’ve got to be realistic at the same time to understand where we are in the football ladder and what that means. But certainly, our intentions, for me, are in the right place,” the Manchester United legend says.
“I’ve had nothing but support in my time here and I know what we’re trying to achieve. But we do have to be realistic and deal with what comes. But, as things stand, I’d have no complaints (over how I am backed by the Boro bosses).”
The aforementioned Doak, despite not turning 19 to November, is another sign of Middlesbrough’s ambitions. The former Celtic starlet is a huge talent, and only narrowly missed out on a place in Scotland’s squad for the European Championships.
“He is a super quick, explosive winger,” former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told talkSPORT (22 May, 11am) of a player likened to Arjen Robben by ex-Anfield assistant Pep Lijnders.
“I don’t know where he is at fitness-wise but he gives you something so different because of his pace. He’s got amazing, explosive pace which could cause teams problems off the bench.
“He could get in (the final squad). I’m surprised, but it could be a nice surprise.”
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