Why West Brom, Norwich City could be left with serious Sheffield United transfer envy | OneFootball

Sheffield United could cause serious transfer envy for both West Brom and Norwich City if they seal a deal for Aston Villa's on loan ace...

There is a growing sense that Sheffield United are positioning themselves to be a real force in the Championship once again next season, although optimism is also rife with both West Brom and Norwich City.

James Morrison has been made permanent manager at West Brom, while Philippe Clement has been outstanding with Norwich City since his arrival. Chris Wilder's Sheffield United have to be better but a full campaign in charge with a summer window could be vital to changing their fortunes.

Under Wilder, there is a proven blueprint to follow: aggressive, front-foot football, underpinned by forwards who are willing to run channels, stretch defences, and operate with intensity out of possession. That clarity of identity is often what separates sides who merely compete from those who get over the line.

It is also why Sheffield United’s reported interest in a certain forward should raise eyebrows elsewhere in the division — particularly at clubs like Norwich and West Brom who have already had a close look at him. However, they failed to unlock his potential and/or he failed to take his chance.

Former West Brom and Norwich loanee Lewis Dobbin emerges as a target for Sheffield United

It's clear now that Lewis Dobbin is emerging as a player who has kicked on massively after some difficult years prior to 2025/26. It's also apparent that there is genuine interest in Dobbin from Sheffield United heading into the 2026/27 campaign.

After a frustrating period of development that included underwhelming loan spells at West Brom and Norwich, the 23-year-old has found his rhythm at Preston North End during the 2025/26 season. Operating with greater confidence and clarity in his role, Dobbin has begun to showcase the reasons why Aston Villa spent so much to bring him in from Everton.

It's not just the directness, energy, and speed now, but Dobbin is regularly contributing in front of goal. He is a really intriguing case heading into the summer window, with Villa said to value Dobbin at around £10 million.

The profile of Dobbin initially made him such a highly-regarded prospect at Everton before joining Villa. However, he has never had a campaign like this one. For both West Brom and Norwich, there may be a sense of frustration in watching that progression unfold from afar.

Neither club were able to harness Dobbin’s raw attributes during his respective loan spells, with inconsistency and a lack of end product often defining his time at both The Hawthorns and Carrow Road. In total, he scored two goals and notched no assists in 29 games for both clubs.

At the time, those struggles were easy to write off as a player not quite ready for the demands of senior football at this level. But he has proven that his quality is there with Preston, having scored 10 and assisted a further eight in all competitions at Deepdale this season.

He is proof that development is rarely linear, particularly for young attacking players who rely heavily on confidence. At Preston, Dobbin has been afforded time to work through slower spells and the output has followed. That naturally raises questions as to whether West Brom and Norwich maximised the tools at their disposal when they had the opportunity.

Lewis Dobbin could be a great fit for Sheffield United

If Sheffield United were to secure his signature this summer, it would feel like a move that aligns perfectly with Wilder and how he operates. The Sheffield United boss loves a variety of forwards and plenty of competition in attack.

Gus Hamer could yet leave but Dobbin could provide a different kind of threat from out wide. His willingness to run in behind, press aggressively, and carry the ball over distance fits the profile of forward players who have historically thrived under Wilder.

More importantly, it is a setup that tends to elevate individuals, turning raw potential into consistent Championship-level output. That's seen in Callum O'Hare this term, who has had the best year of his career despite the Blades' struggles in the league table.

That is where the envy factor could truly come into play. Both West Brom and Norwich are clubs with aspirations of competing at the top end of the division, yet they may find themselves watching a player they once had kick on elsewhere.

For Sheffield United, this is the kind of calculated gamble that should help their latest promotion push. For West Brom and Norwich, it could serve as a reminder that recruitment is not just about identifying talent.