Southampton are on the verge of signing Aston Villa forward Lewis Dobbin for a reported £9m. The 23-year-old has never played for Villa since his £10m move from Everton in 2024. Dobbin spent last season on loan at Preston, scoring 11 times in 41 appearances.

What happened?

Dobbin joined Villa two years ago as midfielder Tim Iroegbunam moved to the Toffees in a separate deal as the clubs looked to comply with Profit and Sustainability regulations. The Saints have beaten a number of Championship clubs, including Middlesbrough, to the signing of Dobbin.

Why it matters for Southampton

Southampton are preparing for another season in the Championship after they were kicked out of the play-offs having spied on Middlesbrough before their semi-final in May. The Saints admitted they spied on three clubs during the Championship season. As of now, Southampton sit 4th in the Championship with 80 points, 22 wins, 14 draws, and 10 losses from 46 games, with a recent form of WDWDD.

What comes next?

The signing of Dobbin will be a significant boost to Southampton's attack as they look to improve their chances of promotion next season. The Saints have scored 82 goals this season, conceding 56, with a goal difference of +26. They are currently 15 points behind leaders Coventry. Southampton's next fixture is against Wrexham at home on February 20, 2027.