Southampton to sign £9m star - 2 Saints players surely won't like it | OneFootball

Southampton's signing of Lewis Dobbin could see these two Saints players' game time reduced next season

Southampton are closing in on the signing of Lewis Dobbin in what is yet another big statement of intent ahead of the 2026/27 Championship campaign.

The Saints went unbeaten in their final 19 league games last season to climb into the top six and beat Middlesbrough over two legs in the play-off semi-finals, before being expelled from the final due to being found guilty of illegally spying on Kim Hellberg's training session.

Tonda Eckert's side were by far and away the best in the division in 2026, and they'll feel like they deserve to be in the Premier League. Ahead of their second successive campaign at the level, they're seemingly not leaving anything to chance.

The permanent arrivals of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz and striker Cyle Larin will help maintain that momentum, and a squad already steeped in quality is set to have yet another addition, as a near-£9 million bid was accepted by Aston Villa for Lewis Dobbin.

The 23-year-old is coming off the back of a breakout campaign on loan at Preston North End, scoring 10 and setting up eight in the Championship last year. He has clear potential to continue that development at St Mary's, and could easily find himself back in the Premier League this time next year.

However, given how versatile Dobbin can be, playing as a central striker, in the number 10 or off the left, these two Saints stars could find themselves pushed down the pecking order in what is an extremely competitive squad on the South Coast.

Cameron Archer

Action images

The majority of Dobbin's time at Deepdale saw him play up front, supporting a more natural target man forward in either Milutin Osmajic or Daniel Jebbison. Coming to Southampton could see a similar partnership formed with Larin.

If that does come to fruition, Cameron Archer may see his already limited game time decrease even further next season.

The 24-year-old has endured a rough couple of years since arriving for £15 million in the summer of 2024 from Aston Villa. He struggled to make an impact in the Premier League and was used mainly from the bench last year under both Will Still and Tonda Eckert.

With Ross Stewart not agreeing fresh terms with the Saints and leaving as a free agent, Archer will have found himself naturally progressing up the food chain in the striker position, and after starting three of the final five league games, perhaps he could have staked a claim for a prominent role.

But if Dobbin comes in to play up front, Archer will see his minutes limited once more. He was an unused substitute in both legs of their play-off semi-final, which does indicate that, while a useful squad player, the 24-year-old may not be seen as a regular starter under Tonda Eckert.

Kuryu Matsuki

Action Images

However, the Saints owner Dragan Solak did say last month that he was happy with Southampton's squad, and his priority was to bring in a number 10 to support Finn Azaz, who scored 11 and assisted eight in his first term on the South Coast.

With Dobbin's versatility and his ability to play well off a striker, perhaps he could be that number 10 profile that the owner is looking for. With the 23-year-old costing the club a healthy seven-figure fee, that resembles a major investment.

Where do you think Lewis Dobbin will play next season at Southampton? Let us know in the comments.

If he is that attacking midfield addition, Kuryu Matsuki, who emerged as a regular starter under Tonda Eckert throughout their impressive run to end the season, could find his minutes limited once more, as they were under Will Still and at the start of Eckert's reign.

With both Azaz and Scienza two of the first names on the team sheet, Dobbin won't replace either of them, which would make the Japanese attacking midfielder expendable in the starting eleven.

It would be a bit of a shame, as the 23-year-old became an important part of Southampton's squad last year, popping up with four important goals, including what ended up being the winner against Coventry City in March.

But if Matsuki does end up riding the bench more next year, you can guarantee it'll make Tonda Eckert's side even more dangerous, due to the strength in depth that they'll have.