Emmanuel Latte Lath, once linked to Ipswich Town, is again under consideration just months after his move from Middlesbrough to MLS side Atlanta United. However, with Ipswich Town preparing for a stronger transfer position, the focus has shifted toward exploring other striker options beyond Latte Lath.
Reconsidering Emmanuel Latte Lath’s Suitability for Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town has shown renewed interest in Emmanuel Latte Lath as a potential replacement for Liam Delap, who is expected to leave for Chelsea. Latte Lath’s transfer to Atlanta United in February concluded a prolonged pursuit by Ipswich that began in 2024, after Middlesbrough repeatedly declined offers. At 25, he had a promising 2024/25 season in the Championship, scoring 11 goals and assisting three times before his £22.5 million move to MLS.
Since joining Atlanta United, Latte Lath has scored only five goals in 16 appearances, suffering a goal drought exceeding two months. His Championship stats this season included 20 starts and 9 substitute appearances, averaging 12.18 shots per 90 minutes with a 75.8% pass success rate. Despite these figures, Ipswich fan pundit Adam Wilkin voices doubts about his potential impact, highlighting the striker’s limitations.
“Obviously we were interested in January, and then I was a bit surprised by that,”
—Adam Wilkin, Ipswich Fan Pundit
“I didn’t think he was a Premier League striker. It was just that the market for strikers was tough.”
—Adam Wilkin, Ipswich Fan Pundit
Improved Financial Position Offers Ipswich Access to Superior Striker Choices
With Ipswich reportedly set to receive £30 million from Chelsea for Liam Delap, plus parachute payments and possible income from other transfers, the club’s financial situation is more advantageous. This improved budget presents Ipswich with an opportunity to seek higher-quality forward options rather than settling for Latte Lath, whose recent form raises concerns.
Adam Wilkin points to younger talents such as Marc Guiu and Divin Mubama as more promising alternatives, asserting that the market conditions now favor Ipswich’s ambitions more strongly than before.
“I think now with it coming back round to it, given his form, lack of goals, and the market being much better – we’ve been linked with players like Marc Guiu and Divin Mubama – I think there are better options out there,”
—Adam Wilkin, Ipswich Fan Pundit
Middlesbrough’s Perspective: Frustrations Over Latte Lath’s Potential Return
If Emmanuel Latte Lath returns to the Championship with Ipswich, Middlesbrough could experience considerable frustration. After allowing him to leave mid-season, the club faded from the play-off race and has struggled to fill the void left by his departure. Seeing him strengthen a potential rival would compound their disappointment.
Adding to Middlesbrough’s irritation is their failure to secure a sell-on clause in the deal with Atlanta United. Furthermore, Middlesbrough had to allocate 10% of the revenue from his sale to Atalanta, reducing the overall financial benefit from his departure.
Calls for Ipswich to Pursue Greater Ambitions in Forward Recruitment
Though Ipswich Town has long shown interest in Emmanuel Latte Lath, fan pundits urge the club to aim higher when preparing for their return to the Championship. Adam Wilkin emphasizes that while there are younger options available, age should not deter them from targeting players capable of delivering at a strong competitive level, referencing Liam Delap’s example.
“There are just better players out there right now,”
—Adam Wilkin, Ipswich Fan Pundit
Latte Lath’s recent contract news with Atlanta United was also discussed by former professional Lee Hendrie in an exclusive conversation, adding further insight into the striker’s current standing and future prospects.
Overall, Ipswich Town appears to be at a crossroads regarding their striker recruitment strategy, with growing calls to explore alternatives that better align with the club’s ambitions and financial potential. The next moves in the transfer market will be pivotal for the Tractor Boys as they look to strengthen their squad and compete effectively in the Championship.