West Ham show interest in Middlesbrough striker but face a key challenge.

West Ham United are prioritizing midfield and striker reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window, with plans to offload certain players as well.

This shift in strategy has drawn attention to potential targets and sparked speculation about their recruitment strategy.

One such target is Middlesbrough’s in-form striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, which could spell bad news for the Championship club.

West Ham has previously been linked with Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick during their managerial changes involving David Moyes and Julen Lopetegui.

Now, reports suggest the Hammers have turned their attention to Middlesbrough’s star forward.

Renowned Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio recently revealed that West Ham is seriously considering a move for Latte Lath during the January transfer window.

The club’s head of recruitment, Tim Steidten, reportedly sent scouts to watch the 24-year-old play at Oxford United last weekend.

The striker made a significant impression, scoring a hat-trick that brought his tally to seven goals and two assists in just seven Championship starts this season.

While transfer rumors often come with skepticism, Di Marzio’s knowledge of players with Italian ties lends credibility to the claim, as Latte Lath is a former Atalanta player.

The Ivorian striker joined Middlesbrough in the summer of 2023 for £4.3 million and has been in outstanding form this season.

Despite West Ham’s confirmed interest, securing his signature might be challenging, as Middlesbrough is unlikely to sell a key player during their promotion push.

West Ham fans agree that bolstering the forward line is crucial, especially if the club aims to compete for European qualification in the second half of the season.

Michail Antonio and Danny Ings have delivered inconsistent performances, and both are out of contract next summer.

Meanwhile, Niclas Füllkrug has been sidelined with injuries for three months and is reportedly unhappy in London, sparking rumors of a potential exit.

Supporters criticized the club’s decision to sign the injury-prone Füllkrug in the summer, emphasizing the need for a young, dynamic striker with pace.

However, the Hammers are now attempting to rectify these missteps by exploring promising options like Latte Lath.

A West Ham spokesperson confirmed their interest in the Middlesbrough striker, acknowledging his suitability for revitalizing the team’s attack.

However, they noted the difficulty of prying him away from Middlesbrough, given the club’s focus on promotion.

“Boro are going for promotion and won’t let a key player go in January,” the spokesperson told Hammers News.

While this may disappoint fans, it demonstrates the club’s commitment to addressing the striker issue.

In addition to Latte Lath, West Ham has also been linked with other potential signings.

Brighton’s out-of-favor forward Evan Ferguson and Brazilian striker Igor Jesus are reportedly on the club’s radar.

There are claims that West Ham has already submitted an official bid for Jesus, who plays for Botafogo.

His transfer prospects are bolstered by Botafogo and Lyon owner John Textor’s recent admission that he plans to sell players to address Lyon’s significant debt of nearly £500 million.

For West Ham, securing a high-impact striker is critical as they navigate their squad’s challenges and ambitions.

Whether they succeed in landing Latte Lath or pursue other targets, their proactive approach signals a desire to strengthen the team for a competitive finish to the season.