Middlesbrough FC: Michael Carrick drops update on Emmanuel Latte Lath situation as Atlanta United circle | OneFootball

Michael Carrick has confirmed Emmanuel Latte Lath remains a key part of his plans amid significant speculation over the striker's immediate future

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has confirmed Emmanuel Latte Lath remains in his plans amid significant speculation linking the star striker to a departure from the Championship promotion hopefuls this month.

Boro have stagnated as of late, with a string of frustrating results across the Festive period bringing Carrick's side back down to earth after winning four of their five matches in November - where they had scored a breathtaking 18 goals in the process.

They have won just one of their last six Championship matches and fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Portsmouth over the weekend, which has seen them displaced in the division's final play-off spot by Tuesday evening's opponents, Tony Mowbray's West Bromwich Albion.

Although there may well be no such correlation, Boro's recent form struggles come against a backdrop of real uncertainty surrounding the futures of Liverpool loanee Ben Doak as well as Latte Lath, who scored his 11th goal of the season in the defeat at Fratton Park but continues to be linked with a move away from the Riverside Stadium.

Michael Carrick drops Emmanuel Latte Lath update amid transfer speculation

The Ivorian frontman, who was the subject of a reported £20 million deadline day bid from Ipswich Town last summer, has remained a hot property courtesy of his impressive goalscoring displays in the current campaign.

Latte Lath has been linked to the likes of West Ham, Leicester City and even Leeds United. However, MLS outfit Atlanta United appear to be winning the race at this moment in time as the only club to have lodged an official bid.

That offer is said to be worth £18 million with a further £2 million in add-ons, which would make it a record fee shelled out by an MLS side. Atlanta are also reportedly offering a significant wage increase to Latte Lath, who is facing an uncertain future on Teesside as the club continue to consider potential replacements in the event of a departure.

But in spite of the continued speculation surrounding the striker, Carrick has no doubt about continuing to select him. The 43-year-old told the press after the Portsmouth match: "For sure [he’ll keep playing].

"He’s a big part of the group and he played well today and he scored so I was really happy with Manu today.

"There’s no change in his situation."

Emmanuel Latte Lath's Middlesbrough form in 24/25

For the large part, Latte Lath has enjoyed yet another fruitful campaign infront of goal for the Reds.

The forward endured a difficult start to the season amid his proposed move to Portman Road, scoring just twice from his first 12 as Tommy Conway received the nod on a number of occasions, but that rich goalscoring form has since been rediscovered.

Only Borja Sainz and Josh Maja have recorded more Championship goals than Latte Lath, who, after scoring 16 from just 30 appearances in his debut campaign, has found the back of the net 11 times in 24/25.

His current record is working out to a return of 0.59 goals per 90 minutes, which is one of the very best in the division. Once again, the 26-year-old has established himself among the second-tier's very finest marksmen and Middlesbrough must be fighting tooth and nail to retain his services until the end of the season at the very least.