According to reports, Middlesbrough are interested in a move for 10-goal Aston Villa winger Lewis Dobbin.
The 23-year-old joined Aston Villa for a reported £10m from Everton back in 2024, in a deal which saw the Toffees pay the same price for Tim Iroegbunam, as both sides looked to circumvent PSR restrictions.
Since then, Dobbin has had stints on loan at West Brom and Norwich City, without impressing massively at either Championship outfit.
However, the England youth international spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Preston North End, where he was in fine form.
Alongside reaching double figures in goals for the first time in his career, Dobbin provided eight assists for his teammates across his 39 Championship appearances, attracting the interest of a number of second tier sides.
According to Pete O'Rourke via X, last season's play-off final losers Middlesbrough are interested in a move to bring Lewis Dobbin to Teesside.
The report fails to mention whether any potential switch would be on loan or on a permanent basis, but - given the large transfer fee shelled out by the Villans just two years ago - he is unlikely to come cheaply.
However, with Middlesbrough reportedly set to receive heavy windfalls this summer, both from a potential sale of Hayden Hackney - for a fee above £15m - and their 20% sell on clause for Morgan Rogers, Dobbin's potential fee is unlikely to be an issue.
Middlesbrough spent the majority of last campaign competing for automatic promotion to the Premier League, before ending up part of one of the most controversial Championship play-offs to date.
Boro were ultimately defeated 1-0 by Hull City in the final, missing out on a return to the top flight.
After losing Rob Edwards halfway through last season, Middlesbrough will be looking for a more stable campaign, under current manager Kim Hellberg.
