Michael Carrick responds directly to West Ham United rumours
Michael Carrick has played down suggestions striker Emmanuel Latte Lath will leave Middlesbrough in January amid interest from West Ham United.
Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb reported on Tuesday (17 December) that West Ham have already made an approach for the Middlesbrough player.
Irons chiefs are also said to have watched Latte Lath earlier in the campaign [Gianluca Di Marzio, 24 November] with the view of making a bid in the January transfer window.
However, as transcribed by The Sun [19 December], when asked about the West Ham interest, Carrick said: “Nothing has changed from our point of view.
“We’re in a good place. We have a good group, good squad and good team. Manu has played well when he’s played. I’m calm about that. We’re pretty happy with how things are.
“[The speculation] has not come from us. That’s kind of it really. We’re looking to be successful. We have a good squad and have a lot of options. It’s pretty clear where we stand.
“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.”
Emmanuel Latte Lath would be a superb purchase for West Ham
West Ham landed on Niclas Fullkrug in the summer but it is a signing that has not paid off so far, whether down to injury issues or just pure quality.
Latte Lath is not exactly a guaranteed goalscorer at Premier League level, but West Ham have seen exactly what is possible when shopping in the Championship market – Jarrod Bowen a prime example.
The Middlesbrough ace has eight goals and two assists in 21 Championship appearances this season, while he netted 16 times last season.
It is clear to see why Carrick is therefore eager to keep hold of him, and the ex-Hammer – himself linked with a move to the London Stadium – will do everything in his power to do so.
West Ham are still in need of a striker for the second half of the season and it will all depend on finances and how far David Sullivan and Co are willing to go.
Ironically, a couple of defeats to end the year may actually persuade the club board into making a new signing in January.
Either way, if the Irons are indeed going to spend in excess of £15million on a player, Latte Lath may well be the wisest option.
In other West Ham news, another attacking player has emerged as a possible option for the club.
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