Middlesbrough told to beat Leeds United to Southampton star as Latte Lath replacement | OneFootball

We asked our Middlesbrough fan pundit who he'd like to see brought in as a replacement for Emmanuel Latte Lath

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Middlesbrough have been told to join the race for Southampton striker Cameron Archer as a potential replacement for Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Latte Lath's 18-month spell at the Riverside Stadium is set to come to an end as he edges closer to a move to MLS side Atlanta United worth £22.5million, and it means that Boro will have money to spend on his replacement.

Michael Carrick's side have already been linked with Slovan Bratislava striker David Strelec, but they've been told that a move for Archer would fit the mould of what they're looking for this month.

Archer is a familiar face to Boro supporters after a previous loan spell at the club where he impressed, and they've been told to join the race for his signature alongside Leeds United, who have registered an interest in the Southampton man.

Middlesbrough told to join the race to sign Cameron Archer

We asked our Boro fan pundit, Jasper Hudson, who Boro should sign as a replacement for Latte Lath, and it's clear that he feels bringing Archer back to the Riverside Stadium would be a good move.

Speaking to Football League World, Jasper said: “Latte Lath is a top striker but to sign him for less £4million and less than one-and-half years later sell him for £18million profit is great business, and you just can’t turn that down.

“The player has stuck by us before, and he’s been nothing but professional this window, so it’s only fair to let him go, and we can definitely get a good replacement with that money and strengthen the whole squad overall.

“We’re obviously linked with Strelec. He’s a different profile, playing in the Champions League, albeit with Slovan Bratislava, and he’s more of a hold-up striker, so it depends on what Carrick wants and how he sees other players stepping up.

“We’ve obviously got Conway back from injury, so I think Strelec could be a good name, he’s got pedigree playing in the Champions League and that hold-up play could help link the play more.

“A name I’d be interested in is Cameron Archer. Obviously, there are rumours of him going to Leeds on loan with a mandatory option to buy if they’re promoted, so if we could strike a similar deal I think that would be very good.

“He was exceptional under Carrick when he was here before, and he’s a more similar player to Latte Lath, maybe not got the physicality but in terms of running in behind and the pace up front.

"So, if it was possible, I think a deal for Archer would be good depending on what profile we want, and what route we want to go down.

“Strelec would be a good option, but on Cameron Archer I would be a little bit frustrated if we didn’t explore the possibility of that.”

While Archer may not have the best of records in the Premier League with just six goals in 60 appearances, he's a prolific striker at Championship level, as seen by his record at Boro last time.

He bagged 11 goals and registered six assists in 23 appearances for Boro, a very impressive strike rate, helping his side reach the play-offs, and it's easy to see why Jasper wants him to return.

It would be a blow if Archer signed for Leeds, one of Boro's promotion rivals, and Carrick should be using his previous experience of working with him to try and bring him to the Riverside Stadium this month.