Lewis Dobbin celebrating in white Preston home kit

Lewis Dobbin Imago

Sources: Middlesbrough work on agreeing deal to sign Aston Villa's Lewis Dobbin

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

Published on:

25 Jun 2026, 1:23 pm

Middlesbrough are aiming to secure a deal for Aston Villa forward Lewis Dobbin, sources have told Football Insider.

Boro are admirers of the 23-year-old winger, and are aiming to land the former Everton youngster on a permanent deal.

Dobbin spent the 2025-26 campaign on loan to Preston North End, where he impressed.

As a result, Middlesbrough are hoping to secure a deal to bolster their attacking options for the 2026-27 season.

Dobbin played 39 Championship matches last campaign, where he netted 10 times and picked up eight assists.

Before this, he had loan spells at Derby County in League One as well as at West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City in the Championship.

How good is Lewis Dobbin?

Dobbin was one of Preston’s top performers last season.

The winger, who can also play as a striker, was the only player for the Lancashire club who netted double-figure goals in the division for the club, and he also registered the most assists.

Overall, only six players have more goal contributions in the Championship last season than Dobbin, which has clearly piqued the interest of Boro.

According to Fotmob on 25 June, his individual stats are also impressive.

He was averaging 0.34 goals, 0.31 xG, 0.27 assists, 1.34 chances created, 1.31 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in the second tier.

Therefore, if these stats can be replicated in the 2026-27 campaign for Middlesbrough, he could be a massive addition to their frontline as they look to seal promotion to the Premier League.

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Who else are Middlesbrough looking to sign?

Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Middlesbrough are also looking to sign Doncaster City FC goalkeeper Ashton Powney this summer transfer window.

The 17-year-old has impressed in the Northern Counties East Division One league, which is the 10^th tier of English football, and is believed to have plenty of potential.

His form has earned him a call-up to the England Schoolboys at Under-18 level.

However, Boro will have to battle with Bristol City and Preston for Powney’s signature, with multiple clubs in the race.

He would likely join up with the academy setup at whichever club he joined, but is viewed as a player who could have a big future ahead of him.

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if Middlesbrough are able to get a deal over the line for the rising star.

Lewis Norman Dobbin