Preston North End's transfer stance on Lewis Dobbin as Sheffield United target Aston Villa winger
Lewis Dobbin is a target for Sheffield United this summer after scoring 11 goals on loan at Preston North End this season.
Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom has played down the club’s chances of being able to re-sign Sheffield United transfer target Lewis Dobbin in this summer’s window.
Dobbin spent the duration of this season on loan at Deepdale from Premier League outfit Aston Villa, scoring 11 goals and registering eight assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.
As revealed by The Star last month, Dobbin is understood to be on United’s wish list ahead of this summer’s transfer window amid manager Chris Wilder’s hunger to change the landscape of his squad.
Wilder wants to recruit players who have experience of proving themselves in the second tier, and Dobbin is a player who has already had three separate loan spells in the Championship, with his recent stint at North End his most fruitful to date.
The smart money is on Villa making him available for another loan spell this summer, meaning Championship interest is expected to be rife in the 23-year-old after he plundered ten league goals for Heckingbottom’s side this season, including two against the Blades.
United, as demonstrated with the capture of Kalvin Phillips in February, are capable of making statement moves via the loan market, meaning they will fancy their chances of being towards the front of the queue for Dobbin.
Preston, despite making some smart loan signings this season, have never been a club blessed with a big budget, meaning they could be restricted in their hopes of signing Dobbin for a second time. But despite ongoing chatter about a possible takeover coming to fruition at Deepdale, Heckingbottom, as things currently stand, is not expecting to be in the race to re-sign the Villa winger this summer.
“It depends,” Heckingbottom told the Lancashire Post, addressing his chances of re-signing Dobbin. “You're asking me today, no one's come in with any money for him today. Likewise, no one's made an offer to Villa yet.
“But would I keep him? 100 per cent. Can we? Not right now, no.”
United, as highlighted with the possibility of them renewing their interest in Ipswich Town star Jack Clarke, are targeting the addition of a left-winger this summer.
That particular berth is Dobbin’s natural habitat, but he also has the capacity to play in central areas and up front. His multi-functional profile makes him an attractive option.