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.

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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Atlanta United's Emmanuel Latte Lath, second from left, gets a shot away at the Toronto FC goal despite pressure from Deandre Kerr, second from right, during second-half MLS soccer match action in Toronto, Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (right) tours the Vine City neighborhood with his senior advisor Courtney English (left). (Matt Reynolds/AJC 2024)

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