Southampton eye Lewis Dobbin as Tonda Eckert seeks another Leo Scienza-style spark | OneFootball

Talk of Leo Scienza leaving Southampton has cooled, with exit chatter focused on Shea Charles, the ex-Manchester City academy product, amid Leeds United interest. Southampton could also face attention for their Brazilian forward after his standout debut Championship season.

According to Sainstmarching.com, Southampton are pursuing Aston Villa winger Lewis Dobbin, with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Middlesbrough also in the mix. Sheffield United have been linked but are thought to be priced out, with Villa seeking £5m or more.

Whether Saints meet that valuation remains unclear, though Ben Brereton Diaz and Gavin Bazunu are looking likely to leave, which could bolster funds. Any move for Dobbin might be with Scienza’s role in mind, given the former Everton youngster can operate on either flank or as a second striker and mainly from the left.

Scienza supplied seven goals and 10 assists last term and, as Saints’ number 13, remains a fixture in Tonda Eckert’s plans if he stays.

Dobbin posted 10 goals and eight assists in 2025/26 with Paul Heckingbottom’s side, after previously mustering only five senior goals in the EFL. The ex-England U19 international has not always found the step up straightforward.

Both he and Scienza prefer driving at defenders and striking from range, with Dobbin previously described as explosive by former Norwich City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup. Against Southampton late last season, the ex-Preston number 33 completed four dribbles, while Scienza recorded three and saw four shots miss.

Fitting both into the same XI could be tricky, yet that is a selection puzzle Eckert would likely welcome as next season takes shape.

Source: Sainstmarching.com