Southampton has emerged victorious in the race to sign Aston Villa forward Lewis Dobbin, with reports indicating a club-record deal is close to being finalized. The transfer window, which opened on July 1 and closes on September 1, is expected to be a busy period for clubs looking to strengthen their squads ahead of the upcoming season.
Dobbin, 23, is reportedly nearing a £9 million move to Southampton. The forward spent last season on loan at Preston, where he scored 10 goals. His performances also attracted interest from other clubs, including Wolves, Middlesbrough, and Sheffield United. Aston Villa is set to receive additional add-ons based on Dobbin's future performance and appearances.
In parallel, Aston Villa is also reportedly finalizing a club-record deal for Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi. Additionally, Villa has been offered the opportunity to sign 28-year-old left-back Pervis Estupinan, who previously played for Watford, Brighton, and Villarreal during his time with AC Milan.