Southampton are on the lookout for their latest signing, after Chairman Dragan Solak revealed one position that the club is aiming to recruit for this summer.
While Finn Azaz is one of the side’s most vital players, the Saints must prepare for periods without the Irishman - managing a 46-game season as the only option in one position is untenable.
Azaz recorded 19 goal involvements in the Championship last season. One player the club is trying to sign came up with 18 in the same division, while on loan from the Premier League.
According to The Lancashire Post, that man is Aston Villa’s Lewis Dobbin.
Saints interested in Lewis Dobbin
Alongside Southampton, fellow Championship sides Wolverhampton Wanderers and Middlesbrough are also interested in signing Lewis Dobbin, 23, this summer.
Dobbin spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Preston North End, scoring 10 goals and providing 8 assists in the Championship, as the Lilywhites finished 14th.
While Preston are naturally interested in re-signing Lewis Dobbin on a permanent deal, as they have done with rumoured Saints target Alfie Devine, The Lancashire Post reports that a return to Deepdale is unlikely this summer.
Despite joining Aston Villa two years ago from Everton, Dobbin is yet to debut for Unai Emery’s side. The Villans, who will compete in the Europa League in 2026/27, value the 23-year-old at around £9/10 million. It’s a fee that Southampton should be able to fork out.
A more successful Aston Villa raid
Southampton’s most recent signing from Aston Villa was not a piece of business to write home about.
Cameron Archer was bought for a hefty £15 million fee, following Southampton’s 2024 promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, but has scored just 11 times in 76 matches.
If Southampton conduct another move from the Premier League side, they’ll be hoping it’s a better one. And Lewis Dobbin is certainly an exciting player.
The Englishman can play all across the attack, as a winger, second striker or advanced midfielder. If the Saints pull off a move, it will be because they see potential for Dobbin to step up to the top flight, if and when the club gets there.
For a player who picked up almost identical surface numbers to Finn Azaz last season, signing Lewis Dobbin would be a really smart move.
Other interest is there, but Southampton should back themselves to get this one done, as a statement of their promotion intentions.
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