The Lancashire Evening Post claims that Lewis Dobbin, a forward for Aston Villa, is a target for Preston North End.
In an attempt to improve on their 20th-place performance, Preston North End kicked off their 2025–26 Championship season last week. Prior to the end of the transfer window, PNE will try to fill important positions.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side have started the season unbeaten, beating Barrow AFC in the first round of the Carabao Cup after drawing with QPR in the Championship’s opening game last weekend. The Lilywhites acted quickly to strengthen their squad earlier in the summer, but with a big gap left to fill up top after Emil Riis’s exit, a new goal threat is needed.
In an attempt to strengthen their offense and go up to the second division, PNE has already acquired forwards Daniel Jebisson and Michael Smith. However, the former has been sidelined for a month due to an injury he sustained outside the club’s facilities.
The Lancashire Evening Post is now claiming that Preston North End is interested in Lewis Dobbin.
A host of other clubs are said to be interested in the England Youth international, with a loan transfer the likely outcome for the Aston Villa talent.
Dobson, 22, has been at Aston Villa since 2024 having previously played at Everton. A player with pace and power, he can play anywhere along the front line and wing, but primarily out wide.
After some promising appearances in Everton’s first-team, he was loaned out to Derby County in the 2022/23 season as the Rams finished just outside the play offs. The Preston North End target gained valuable experience at Pride Park, and the following summer, he moved to Aston Villa in a £9m move.
Dobbin has also represented England at various youth levels since 2018.
At 22, Dobbin still has time to develop furtther, with recent loans spells at Norwich City and West Brom seeing the forward make 27 appearances in the Championship, though his progress with the Canaries was stunted by a calf injury last season.
Preston North End in need of more new signings
Preston North End boss Heckingbottom has stated he would still like to make more signings as they look to turn draws into wins this season. He is keen to bring in an out-and-out striker along with players that can operate on the wing, so Dobbin fits the mould.
A move for the Aston Villa prospect is beneficial for both parties, and it would see Heckingbottom overcome some of the challenges he has faced in this summer’s transfer window. He recently said:
