Middlesbrough eye permanent move for Aston Villa’s Lewis Dobbin after standout Preston loan | OneFootball

Middlesbrough are exploring a permanent move for Aston Villa winger Lewis Dobbin this summer after his eye-catching loan at Preston, according to ExpressAndStar.com.

The 23-year-old, who largely operates on the left, delivered 11 goals and eight assists in the Championship, his most productive season following earlier spells at West Brom and Norwich.

Dobbin endured a difficult half-season at The Hawthorns, starting one league match and making 16 substitute appearances in 2024 without scoring. He improved at Norwich with two goals in 10 league outings. Samuel Iling-Junior and Dobbin both struggled to make an impact during their respective Albion loans.

Once of Everton, he joined Villa for £10 million in summer 2024. The England youth international hails from Stoke.

Boro, beaten Championship play-off finalists, were keen in January and tried to sign him to aid their push, but he remained at Deepdale. Manager Kim Hellberg’s interest remains, and the Teessiders are set to pursue a permanent deal this summer for another tilt at promotion to the Premier League.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com