West Ham in talks with agent of Latte Lath after East London visit

Emmanuel Latte Lath's agent has travelled to hold talks with West Ham over a potential January transfer, according to the Sunday Mirror.

The Mirror reported in their print edition (29 December, page 67) that as the Hammers consider a move for the Middlesbrough striker next month, his agent Matthias Veneroso has already set talks in motion.

Latte Lath has already scored nine goals for Boro this season and was close to joining Ipswich last summer, but a move to East London could be on the horizon with Veneroso already in negotiations.

Emmanuel Latte Lath transfer a no-brainer for West Ham United

Although the Hammers won't be awash with available cash to spend in January – having committed to a significant transfer outlay in the summer window – signing a new striker next month is surely a must.

The £27million spent on Niclas Fullkrug has yielded just eight appearances, two Premier League starts, a goal and assist apiece, and it's hardly surprising that the Irons could soon be looking to cut their losses.

Latte Lath, meanwhile, has been firing goals in left, right and centre for Boro under ex-Hammer Michael Carrick – who is also admired at the London Stadium [Daily Mirror, 8 December] – and looks increasingly likely to move in January.

With Michail Antonio out injured for the long-term, Danny Ings aging and Fullkrug looking unlikely to ever justify the £27m fee spent on him, it's clear that a youthful injection is needed in the Irons' striking ranks.

It remains to be seen just how much financial wiggle room Julen Lopetegui will have at his disposal next month, but if funds are to be allocated anywhere, they should be firmly focused on Teesside.

In other West Ham news, Tony Cascarino singled out one Irons star as the example his team-mates need to follow this season.

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