Preston North End loan star wanted by Middlesbrough in Aston Villa transfer repeat
The Aston Villa man had an excellent loan spell at PNE last season
Middlesbrough are reportedly trying to sign Lewis Dobbin after his excellent loan spell at Preston North End.
The 23-year-old spent last season at Deepdale and scored 11 goals across all competitions, while assisting a further eight. It was the fourth loan move of the attacker’s career and by far the most productive, following previous stints with Norwich, West Brom and Derby.
Dobbin is a winger by trade but was used centrally last season - mostly as a number ten but also in a front two - and reaped the rewards. He has two years left to run on his contract at Villa but a permanent move to the Championship could be in store.
According to Teesside Live, defeated play-off finalists Boro are eyeing his signature this summer. In fact, it’s reported that the Riverside outfit tried to prise Dobbin away from PNE in January but were unsuccessful.
Sheffield United - whom Dobbin scored three goals against last year - were credited with interest immediately after the April clash at Bramall Lane. The Villa man, speaking towards the end of the year, was optimistic about his immediate future.
He said: “I'm contracted to Villa. I went there with the aspirations to play for Villa. That's always my goal, that's always the long-term goal. Hopefully, I get the chance one day but if not, it's not the end of the world. I'll back myself to have a good move if I was to leave Villa.”
Middlesbrough have swooped in for one of PNE’s loan stars before. After his eight-goal spell at Deepdale, Cameron Archer headed to the Teesside outfit and netted 11 for Boro - two of which came against the Lilywhites.