Former Man Utd ace had major role in Middlesbrough snubbing Premier League striker to sign Kelechi Iheanacho

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Middlesbrough could have signed a Premier League striker instead of Kelechi Iheanacho in the January transfer window, EFL Analysis understands.

After another solid start to the season, Emmanuel Latte Lath, who was wanted by Ipswich Town in the summer, once again received transfer interest earlier in 2025.

The Ivorian was Boro’s top scorer in the Championship yet again and, after a month-long transfer saga, eventually left Middlesbrough for MLS outfit Atlanta United in a £22.5m deal.

With Josh Coburn loaned out to Millwall earlier in the campaign, the Teessiders were left with Tommy Conway as their only natural, senior striker option.

This eventually led to Michael Carrick and co. bringing in former Leicester City player Kelechi Iheanacho on loan from Sevilla for the remainder of the campaign.

Iheanacho had failed to score a single league goal following his move to Spain and, unsurprisingly, has continued to flounder at the Riverside Stadium.

• READ MORE: Forget Hayden Hackney, Middlesbrough must be wary of losing £2.5m star in 2025 summer transfer window

Jonny Evans was key to Middlesbrough signing Kelechi Iheanacho

Middlesbrough’s January transfer window has been slammed, with club chief Kieran Scott coming in for heavy criticism.

It’s easy to see why people are angry at Boro’s January recruitment given the likes of Iheancho and Ryan Giles have been poor since joining.

Now, EFL Analysis can reveal how the move for the former of that duo came about.

We understand that Carrick was given a glowing reference of Iheancho by former Manchester United teammate Jonny Evans.

This played a major part in the Boro boss wanting the Nigerian ahead of Adam Armstrong, despite a deal being agreed between Middlesbrough and Southampton for the former Newcastle United man.

• READ MORE: ‘Most realistic’ move for Middlesbrough sensation Rav van den Berg revealed ahead of summer transfer window

How Adam Armstrong compares to Kelechi Iheanacho since West Brom move

After a move to the North East fell through, Southampton instead opted to loan Armstrong to Boro’s promotion rivals, West Bromwich Albion.

The Baggies are above Middlesbrough going into the latest round of fixtures and are likely to secure a play-off place ahead of them.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
6	West BromWest Brom	38	13	18	7	48	34	14	57
7	Bristol CityBristol City	38	14	15	9	49	41	8	57
8	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	38	15	9	14	57	48	9	54
9	BlackburnBlackburn	38	15	7	16	42	40	2	52
10	WatfordWatford	38	15	7	16	47	51	-4	52

So far, Armstrong has found the back of the net twice for West Brom, while Ihenacho has not scored a single goal for Boro.

Commenting on the Sevillai loanee and fellow January signing Samuel Iling-Junior earlier this month, as per the Northern Echo, Carrick said: “Kel and Sammy in particular, they’ve not played the last couple of games.

“Having come here on loan, they way they’ve coped with that and invested in it, that’s unbelievable.

“They’re as keen as anyone to get success here this season. It’s great to see and we’re definitely going to need everybody between now and the end of the season.”