Middlesbrough could already have Emmanuel Latte Lath replacement, but Michael Carrick is standing in the way

Add as preferred source on Google

Middlesbrough once again sold one of their top players in the most recent transfer window.

Boro have made a habit of selling big names in the last couple of years, most notably 29-goal star Chuba Akpom to Ajax in 2023.

Morgan Rogers is now plying his trade in the Premier League and as recently as this week, the Champions League, with Aston Villa.

In 2024/25, meanwhile, Middlesbrough allowed Emmanuel Latte Lath to sign for MLS outfit Atlanta United in a record transfer.

Losing the Ivorian was a big blow to Boro’s striker ranks, with his replacement, Kelechi Iheanacho, not exactly impressing since signing on loan from Sevilla.

As a result, once the current campaign draws to a close, the Teessiders will no doubt be in the market for a striker once more.

However, they may not have to be and may not even have had to sign Iheanacho if things had gone differently this season.

• READ MORE: Forget Kelechi Iheanacho, Michael Carrick needs to start five-assist ace for Middlesbrough vs Plymouth

Josh Coburn needs a chance at Middlesbrough

Upon the arrival of Tommy Conway in the summer of 2024, Michael Carrick opted to allow Josh Coburn to leave the club on loan.

The striker scored one and assisted one in a 3-0 victory over Leeds United in the Carabao Cup for the Reds, but was not really being offered a chance in the league.

Unlike Latte Lath and Conway, Coburn offers more of a physical presence up front and could have been a useful asset to have in 2024/25, especially upon Latte Lath’s exit and when Conway was injured.

When discussing the future of Iheanacho at Middlesbrough this week, transfer expert and Boro supporter Graeme Bailey told us he would like to see Coburn given a chance.

He said: “It is perhaps more interesting to Boro fans to see what happens with Josh Coburn – who is looking very good at Millwall. I, like many Boro fans, would love to see him given a real chance to prove himself.”

However, it appears on the surface that unless Carrick leaves Teesside, Coburn doesn’t have much of a future at the club as he doesn’t really fit the manager’s system.

• READ MORE: Middlesbrough fans send summer transfer demand to Steve Gibson, they want ‘class’ player signed

Michael Carrick Josh Cobrun decision could cost Middlesbrough

Coburn being loaned out has, for the most part, looked like an unwise move on Carrick’s part.

Even if he’s not exactly the type of striker the ex-midfielder wants, having a plan B is always useful.

More concerningly, Coburn has been excellent for Millwall, who are now in contention to take a play-off place away from Middlesbrough.

The 22-year-old scored the only goal of the game in a major 1-0 victory over Sheffield United this month.

He did the same versus Derby County in February and netted a key strike against Watford in a 2-1 win in March.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
6	CoventryCoventry	42	18	9	15	59	54	5	63
7	West BromWest Brom	42	14	18	10	51	39	12	60
8	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	42	17	9	16	61	51	10	60
9	MillwallMillwall	42	16	12	14	41	41	0	60
10	BlackburnBlackburn	42	16	8	18	45	45	0	56

The Lions are now level on points with the North East outfit going into the weekend, and it would be quite ironic if they ended the season above Boro.