Middlesbrough’s Double Deadline Signings All But Confirm Star Striker’s Exit

Written by on 3rd February 2025

Contributor: David Linney / Alamy Stock Photo

Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough (Boro) have struggled to find consistent form throughout the championship season. They have only managed to win one out of their last five matches.

To rub salt into the wounds, star striker Emmanuel Latte Lath is set to swap the Riverside to go overseas to America and join Atalanta United. Lath has scored 11 goals this season, he is the club’s top goal scorer so far.

His potential departure would be a major loss for the club, and Middlesbrough would have to find a suitable replacement. It has been reported by various news outlets that Kieran Scott (Middlesbrough’s sporting director) has done some good business and secured two loan signings.

Former Premier League star set for England return

The first signing is Kelechi Iheanacho, that name may ring a bell to Premier League fans. Iheanacho had notable stints at Manchester City and Leicester City.

The striker is currently at Spanish side Sevilla, where he has struggled to find his feet. He has not scored in his nine appearances for the club. The move back to England could be just what the striker needs to get back to his best.

It was reported today by Charlie Gordon of the Daily Express on X that he had completed his medical, and the signing will be announced very soon.

Boro’s Continued Relationship with Aston Villa

Boro has enjoyed doing transfer business with Premier League side Aston Villa recently.

The most recent transfers between the clubs were Morgan Rogers joining Villa and Fin Azaz to Boro.

It was reported today by Peter O’Rourke of FootballInsider247, that Villa’s Samuel Iling-Junior will also be going on loan to Boro.

The 21-year-old Iling-Junior joined Villa at the start of the season for 14 million euros from Italian giants Juventus.

He was then sent back over to Italy to join Bologna on loan, where has only managed to get seven appearances and one goal.

Villa had recently recalled him from this loan, to get him sent off to Boro straight away.

Boro’s Reliance on Loan Players

There has been criticism from Boro fans that they rely too heavily on the impact of loan players to be successful.

Not long ago Boro was in the playoffs and had a pretty successful season overall.

A big factor in this success was the loan signs of the following players: Zak Steffen, Ryan Giles, Aaron Ramsey and Cameron Archer.

Fans have scrutinised their club’s transfer methods and have voiced their opinion on purchasing players.

They want the club to purchase players who will do well so that they are not limited to having the player for a short period.

Unfortunately for those fans, Boro has made multiple loan signings as they look to bolster their squad and push for promotion.


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