Overview
- Reports on Thursday say Middlesbrough are actively working to sign 23-year-old Lewis Dobbin from Aston Villa on a permanent transfer after his productive 2025–26 loan at Preston.
- Dobbin scored double-figure goals and supplied multiple assists at Preston last season, finishing among the Championship’s most productive attackers and increasing his appeal to several clubs.
- Any transfer depends on Middlesbrough and Aston Villa agreeing a fee because Dobbin has two years left on his Villa contract, which gives Villa leverage in talks.
- Other Championship clubs have been linked to Dobbin and Preston’s manager said in May that no formal offers had been made to Villa, leaving the situation open and competitive.
- Alongside Dobbin, Middlesbrough are reported to be pursuing young goalkeeper Ashton Powney, showing the club is combining immediate attacking targets with longer-term youth recruitment this summer.