Southampton: Lewis Dobbin deal could lead to £15m player exit - Middlesbrough must be alert | OneFootball

Middlesbrough should plot a move for a potentially unwanted Saints player this summer following Lewis Dobbin's switch

Southampton's summer window is up and running, with an exciting fresh face through the doors at Staplewood, though one that may have an impact on one of their current members of the squad, as a Championship rival ought to weigh up a move.

Southampton's summer transfer window is underway, as following the permanent additions of Cyle Larin, Daniel Peretz, and George Long, each of whom spent the second half of the season on loan with the Saints, they have struck a deal with Aston Villa for 23-year-old forward Lewis Dobbin.

Tonda Eckert's side have parted ways with around £9 million plus add-ons for the services of Dobbin, who spent last season on loan with Preston North End, scoring ten and assisting eight in 39 Championship games.

Dobbin's arrival could prove to be a real coup for Southampton, who have beaten the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United, and Middlesbrough to his services.

Boro, in particular, had a strong interest in the former Everton academy player, but as Kim Hellberg comes to terms with missing out on the forward, he must turn his attentions elsewhere, and potentially to the Saints, as an exit door for a former star has potentially opened.

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Southampton have made their intentions of improving their attacking options clear, especially following the departure of Ross Stewart, as with Dobbin having signed on the dotted line, interest in Werder Bremen forward Justin Njinmah and Tottenham Hotspur striker Will Lankshear has emerged.

However, they are not the only side in the Championship looking to add strength and depth in the final third, with Middlesbrough also looking at options in that area.

After missing out on Dobbin, Kim Hellberg will be relieved to have already confirmed the £5 million addition of Kyle Joseph from Hull City and free transfer of Myles Peart-Harris, but Boro don't appear to be ramping down their pursuit of attacking reinforcements following the interest in Dobbin.

Having missed out on the Villa man, the Teesside outfit must turn their attentions swiftly elsewhere, and should look to take advantage of Dobbin's move to St Mary's with a swoop for the out-of-favour Cameron Archer.

Archer, 24, managed less than 1,000 minutes across 30 Championship appearances for Southampton last season, scoring four and assisting three, though could well have already left the club last January after a move to Rangers collapsed.

The Englishman, who also spent time with Villa before completing a potential £17 million move to the South Coast in the summer of 2024, could be on the move this summer following the arrival of Dobbin, having already been pushed to the fringes by Eckert last campaign.

Archer and Middlesbrough are already familiar with one another, with the forward having spent the second half of the 2022/23 season at the Riverside from Villa, scoring 11 and assisting six in just 20 league games for the club.

Capable of playing as an out-and-out centre-forward, but also adept at playing almost anywhere in the final third, Archer would be an excellent option for Boro this summer, especially considering, stylistically, Dobbin and him are fairly similar.

With two years remaining on his deal at St Mary's, Archer won't come especially cheap despite his dip in minutes, as selling to a direct division rival also must be taken into consideration for the Saints.

Nevertheless, as an alternative to Dobbin, Archer would be a brilliant addition, and with Finn Azaz having headed in the opposite direction last summer for a potential £14 million, it could be Middlesbrough's time to get one over on Southampton.

Kim Hellberg must bolster Middlesbrough attack further at whatever cost

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Boro are not exactly short on attacking options, but with the addition of Joseph and failed pursuit of Dobbin, it's abundantly clear that Hellberg is not convinced by his current options.

Whilst Tommy Conway and Morgan Whittaker both his double digits for goals in the Championship last season, the likes of David Strelec, Sontje Hansen, Kaly Sene, Jeremy Sarmiento, Leo Castledine, and Delano Burgzorg all struggled for one reason or another.

Dobbin almost certainly would have taken Boro's attack to the next level, but as they see their rivals strengthen with his addition, should plot to weaken them with a swoop for Archer instead.

Southampton, as though a deal for Archer may prove to be complicated, it would be remiss of Boro not to explore it.