Atlanta United closing on Emmanuel Latte Lath for $22 million

Atlanta United is closing on signing striker Emmanuel Latte Lath for a fee of $22 million, according to a person with knowledge of negotiations.

The deal would be completed in the next few days. The transfer fee would set an MLS record, breaking the $16.2 million mark recently set by Cincinnati in signing Kevin Denkey.

An Atlanta United spokesman declined to comment, citing a club policy that prohibits discussing players not under contract.

Latte Lath, 26 years old, plays for Middlesbrough in England’s Championship, where the Ivory Coast native has scored 29 goals in 67 appearances.

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If the transfer is completed, Latte Lath would become Atlanta United’s third and final Designated Player. The team announced the signing of Miguel Almiron on Thursday as the second DP. Attacking midfielder Alexey Miranchuk is the other.

Latte Lath previously spent time at Atalanta in Italy, where Miranchuk also played. Latte Lath scored 14 goals in 41 appearances with the Italian club.

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