Daniel Farke has been tight-lipped regarding transfer activity at Elland Road throughout the winter window.
However, with the German wanting to propel his club into the Premier League via automatic promotion, the manager would be willing to sign anyone who could strengthen his team’s chances.
Furthermore, with Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph struggling to find regular goal-scoring form this season, attacking reinforcements would be very welcome in West Yorkshire.
Emmanuel Latte Lath, with whom the Whites had been affiliated throughout the window, appeared to be capable of resolving these concerns.
The Whites were thought to be exploring a bid for the striker [Leeds United News, 7 January], and despite offers from other clubs, Farke’s side remained interested in a deal [Daily Mail Sport, 13 January].
Middlesbrough’s number nine has 11 goals and three assists in the Championship this season, prompting interest from clubs such as Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and West Ham.
However, the Daily Mirror claimed in its print edition (31 January, page 56) that Latte Lath is set to join Atlanta for a record-breaking £22.5 million fee, thus bringing the transfer controversy to an end.
Leeds United dodge a bullet with the Emmanuel Latte Lath trade.
There’s no doubt that Latte Lath is a superb striker who would certainly replicate, if not better, the 16 goals he scored last season, so if the Whites had signed him, he would have been a valuable addition.
However, given that a deal has reportedly been struck for £22.5 million, Farke’s side should be relieved, as that is a high fee for a second-tier striker.
Although Leeds’ current strikers have struggled to find consistent form this year, Piroe has produced just one goal less than Latte Lath this term while also contributing two more assists which perhaps puts in context the exorbitant price tag of the Middlesbrough man. It does feel like they might have dodged bullet.
As a result, this isn’t a cause for concern for the West Yorkshire club, and the manager may be more interested in focusing his efforts on getting the most out of the players he already has on his roster.
If the Whites achieve their goal of returning to the top division, they will undoubtedly be ready to spend their money on better-quality players during the summer transfer window.
