Exclusive: What Sky Sports pundit has said on Ipswich Town signing Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Ipswich Town have been linked with a surprise move for former Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte-Lath.

The Northern Echo reported earlier this week that the Tractor Boys are looking to replace departing Liam Delap.

Latte Lath’s transfer from Boro to MLS side Atlanta United in February this year for a reported fee of £22.5 million was unexpected.

We asked Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie about the potential move.

Ipswich urged to strike for Emmanuel Latte-Lath.

In an exclusive interview with Football League World, Hendrie stated that with Liam Delap’s departure, the football club requires an immediate replacement.

“I mean, Latte Lath would be a really, really good one, based on what I’ve seen of him at Boro.

“I thought he was exceptional. He brought them something different. He has pace and energy.

“So, yes, I believe that would be a great addition to the squad if it happens.

“Obviously, he only recently left Boro, so whether that happens and continues, I think he’d be a fantastic signing, because he demonstrated that he was well capable of scoring goals in the Championship.

“I know Boro didn’t want to let him go, but I believe it was all about the transfer fee. So, if that happens, I believe it will be a fantastic signing for Ipswich.”

Landing Latte Lath would be a statement signed by Ipswich.

Relegation is never easy to deal with, and Ipswich will be no exception.

Liam Delap, their top scorer from their one-season Premier League stay with 12 goals, is expected to leave for Chelsea. He is three times the next player on the list, Sammie Szmodics.

Delap’s contract included a £30 million release clause, so the Tractor Boys’ relegation was inevitable as soon as it was confirmed.

All eyes will then be on how they respond, and if they do so by signing a Championship-proven striker like Latte Lath, the rest of the league will be aware that Kieran McKenna’s side does not intend to simply sit back and cash their parachute payments.

Latte Lath, in his final full season for Boro in 2023/24, was a top striker in the Championship, scoring 16 goals.

Questions remain about whether the north-east club should have sold him, and any regrets will be compounded if he returns to England to play for a division rival just months after leaving.

If Ipswich can keep the majority of their squad together and add some quality players like Latte Lath, they should be able to challenge for promotion again, especially with Leeds United and Burnley out of the way.

Given how Middlesbrough dropped out of the promotion race shortly after Latte Lath’s departure, it would be a painful move for fans at the Riverside Stadium.

For Ipswich, few Delap replacements will be as ready-made as the former Boro striker.