The January transfer window is just over four weeks away and West Ham are planning to be active if the right deals present themselves.
Midfield and striker are West Ham’s big priorities and some players may also be moved on.
That looked like being bad news for Championship side Middlesbrough.
The Hammers have long been linked with Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick.
Both when the club were looking to replace David Moyes and reportedly considering axing Julen Lopetegui.
This week a top Italian journalist claimed now West Ham want Middlesbrough’s striker too.
Gianluca Di Marzio says West Ham are seriously considering a move for Boro’s in-form forward Emmanuel Latte Lath when the January window opens.
Tim Steidten, who is in charge of recruitment at the London Stadium, had Hammers scouts watch Middlesbrough’s number nine at Oxford last weekend.
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West Ham were suitably impressed with what they saw from the 24-year-old at the Kassam Stadium.
Lath scored a hat-trick to make it seven goals and two assists in seven Championship starts this season.
When it comes to transfer rumours it is often difficult to know what to believe.
Emmanuel Latte Lath of Middlesbrough celebrates putting Middlesbrough 2-0 up during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Luton ...
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West Ham linked with exciting Middlesbrough striker Lath
And some questioned what Di Marzio would know about the goings-on involving a Middlesbrough star playing in a game at Oxford.
But Di Marzio is well informed on players with Italian connections and Lath is a former Atalanta player.
The Ivorian cost Boro £4.3m in the summer of 2023 and has really started to come into his own.
Now West Ham have confirmed interest in Middlesbrough striker Lath but have one major concern.
Hammers fans are in agreement that the forward line urgently needs addressing.
Especially if West Ham are to have any hope of a charge for Europe in the second half of the season.
Michail Antonio and Danny Ings are hot and cold and both out of contract at the end of the summer.
Niclas Fullkrug has been out for three months with injury and is reportedly unsettled in London and already wants to leave.
Hammers supporters felt the club needed a young, powerful striker with pace in the summer.
So the decision to sign ageing, injury-prone Fullkrug has left Steidten open to criticism.
Refreshingly, West Ham are looking to make good on their mistakes of the summer.
Julen Lopetegui is unveiled as the new West Ham United manager. Overlaid, an exclusive banner.
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West Ham confirm Lath interest but have one major concern
Because West Ham are on the lookout for a new striker, the club has confirmed to Hammers News.
Especially if Fullkrug is moved out.
And West Ham have admitted Middlesbrough striker Lath is someone they’re interested in.
The problem is they’ve already been told ‘Boro will not be selling him in January.
Links to Lath were put to the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners.
We suggested the all-action forward could be the ideal acquisition to revamp the forward line.
“Agreed,” the West Ham spokesman told Hammers News.
“But ‘Boro are going for promotion and they won’t let a key player go in January.”
While that may not be what West Ham fans want to hear, it should be hugely reassuring to hear the club are looking at a new forward.
West Ham have also been heavily linked with Brighton’s out of favour Evan Ferguson.
Another striker who is in Steidten’s sights is Brazilian Igor Jesus.
In fact there are claims that West Ham have submitted an official bid to Botafogo for Jesus.
Especially as the club’s owner, John Textor, has admitted he will be selling players from the Brazilian club and Lyon to pay down the latter’s near £500m debt.
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