Transfermarkt has reported on a potential Bundesliga move for Ivorian striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, following information from the Daily Mail in the UK. The former Middlesbrough forward is seemingly unhappy with his transfer to Atlanta United in Major League Soccer. In turn, Union Berlin is dissatisfied with their current attacking options.
Last season in the Bundesliga, no forward at Union scored more than six goals. While players like young German talent Ilyas Ansah and experienced Scottish player Oliver Burke managed to score, their inconsistency was a significant concern.
Serbian striker Andrej Ilic contributed five goals in the league but excelled as a playmaker, registering 11 assists, which far exceeded his goal count. Ilic also managed two assists in two cup matches. At 26, he is seen as more of a specialist in set-pieces than as a primary scoring forward.
The FCU squad hasn’t had a double-digit goalscorer since the 2022/23 season, when current Mainz 05 player Sheraldo Becker netted 11 goals. Latte Lath seems to fit the profile needed to rectify this issue.
Who is Emmanuel Latte Lath?
Latte Lath developed through Atalanta’s academy, making his senior debut as a teenager in an Italian cup match. He subsequently went on several loan spells to various clubs, including Pescara, Pistoiese, Carrarese, Imolese, Pianese, Pro Patria, SPAL, and St. Gallen, before making a permanent move away from Atalanta.
His most notable performance came in Switzerland, where he scored 14 league goals and provided four assists for St. Gallen during the 2022/23 season. This led to his transfer to Middlesbrough for around €7 million in the summer of 2023.
While with Boro, Latte Lath netted 29 goals over 67 competitive appearances, including 16 goals in his debut Championship season. His impressive finishing and speed garnered attention from various Premier League clubs before Atlanta United secured a record MLS transfer for him in February 2025.
Atlanta invested approximately $22 million (just under €21 million at that time) for his services, signing him to a contract valid until 2028 with the option of an additional season.
Atlanta move fell short of expectations
In his debut season with Atlanta, Latte Lath scored seven goals and provided one assist in 30 MLS games. However, the club had a disappointing season, finishing close to the bottom of the Eastern Conference with only five league victories.
His market value initially surged to €18 million following the transfer but has since decreased to around €10 million. This year, Latte Lath has scored two goals and delivered one assist in 14 appearances, losing his regular starting position.
Atlanta has also tried using him on the right wing instead of just as a center-forward, a positional shift that Latte Lath reportedly suggested, while Alexey Miranchuk plays a deeper central role.
Although Union Berlin is interested, it does not mean a transfer will happen soon. Given the significant investment Atlanta made in Latte Lath, they are likely to seek a substantial return on their original purchase price.