Emmanuel Latte Lath's agent quizzed on striker's Middlesbrough future and chances of summer move

Emmanuel Latte Lath's agent admits that they would take any approach from top division clubs seriously this summer - but says it's not something they will actively pursue.

Latte Lath ended his first season at Middlesbrough in fine form with 11 goals in 12 games to leave him with 18 goals in all competitions. It was a fine return for his first season in England as he overcame early struggles to adapt to become a fan-favourite on Teesside.

However, that kind of form will inevitably attract some interest this summer - with finding a prolific goalscorer high on almost every club's wishlist each summer. The 25-year-old signed a four-year contract when joining Boro from Atalanta last summer, leaving them well-positioned. But agent Matthias Veneroso admitted there will be decisions to be made by the club and player if offers do come in this summer.

READ MORE: 'Super' Middlesbrough fanbase will be inspiring Emmanuel Latte Lath to go again next season

Asked by Sportitalia, Veneroso said: “If I had to look at it from the point of view of maturation and what he has done this year, I can tell you that he’s ready [to play in a top division]. Then we’ll have to make the appropriate evaluations, bearing in mind that he has a contract with Middlesbrough, where he’s aiming to do a top-level championship and try to win the league.

"Having to look around is not our first objective, but we know that strikers are rare commodities and anything can happen… We are certainly attentive to those steps that can represent growth for the player. Without having the need and the desire to necessarily do something.

“He’s doing well at Middlesbrough, the club loves him and he has a contract. We have to understand what will happen, because being a striker we know that some offers will arrive, but they will have to be carefully evaluated.”

Boro paid around £4 million to sign the Ivorian last summer and after his brilliant end to the season, there is now high hopes that he can be the star man next season who scores the goals that gets them back to the Premier League. Making a real connection with supporters who sing his name from the terraces, Latte Lath has himself spoken about how they will be his main inspiration next season to improve on his 18-goal haul.

However, as Veneroso says, if serious offers are to come in then Boro would have to take them seriously given their financial position. They head into the summer determined to keep hold of their best players while anticipating interest in the likes of Latte Lath as well as Hayden Hackney and Rav van den Berg.

However, if players express a desire to leave and explore opportunities in higher divisions, Boro will listen to offers providing they meet their valuations. Veneroso believes it would take at least triple of what Boro paid to prize him away from the Riverside though.

“I can’t tell you the value," he added. "The English market is different from all others. It’s certainly a high value - I imagine at least triple what was paid. The club will decide it in the face of any requests."