Latte Lath, Doak and six other Middlesbrough players who could leave in January transfer window

Latte Lath, Doak and six other Middlesbrough players who could leave in January transfer window

Boro are open-minded to the possibility of strengthening their squad this month

Middlesbrough will look to use any reasonable opportunity to strengthen their squad during the January transfer window, but to do so they’d have to trim their squad first.

Boro have the maximum number of players registered with the EFL currently, and while you don’t have to sell or loan a player to de-register them this month, the financial implications means they won’t want to pay another players who is unable to play for the remainder of the season despite being fit – which is exactly what they have with Matthew Hoppe who remains on the Boro books.

Boro are open-minded to the possibilities that could crop up in the window and have targets in mind also, particularly if any star players unexpectedly become the subject of surprise offers like Emmanuel Latte Lath was late in the summer transfer window. But happy with the balance, depth and strength of their current squad, they’re also heading into this window not desperately chasing anything.

Always keen to evolve and improve though, if Boro were to find a player available to bring in this month who worked from both a quality fit and also a financial sense, they would have potential options to move players on and create the gap in their squad. We take a look at who those players would be.

Seny Dieng

Prior to Sol Brynn’s injury, the Boro academy graduate replaced Seny Dieng in the Boro side and, as a Senegal international who has had previous Premier League interest, his Boro future was put in doubt. Brynn’s long-term injury has put doubt on Dieng, as he himself struggles to get back from a hip problem. If an offer was received, Boro would likely consider it, with the goalkeeper situation already one they’re looking closely at due to the injuries anyway.

George Edmundson

This is not something Boro would choose. The centre-back, who is on loan from Ipswich Town for the season, has performed so well this season, despite initially being signed as cover, that it is reasonable to assume there has been some consideration that he might be offered a permanent deal in the summer, assuming he becomes a free agent as expected. Ipswich do have a recall clause on his loan this month, which is why he’s on this list, but it appears doubtful they’ll activate it unless there’s a serious injury crisis because, after playing for two clubs this season, he won’t be able to represent a third until next season.

Emmanuel Latte Lath

Tommy Conway’s injury could complicate this one, but interest in Emmanuel Latte Lath this month is no secret, with his agency already stating that something will happen. Latte Lath remains a crucial player for Boro, therefore a sale would require hefty compensation. Losing the Ivorian would be a loss, but on the plus side, the club would get a significant amount of money, some of which might be reinvested in a signing or two, with targets already identified. Late Tuesday night, reports arose linking Latte Lath with a move to Leicester City. Expect more rumours about Latte Lath in the coming days.

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