Villa have confirmed that winger Lewis Dobbin has been recalled from his loan at West Bromwich Albion and immediately sent out to Norwich to complete the 2024/25 season, on his birthday no less.
Dobbin was meant to spend the entire campaign with Albion but his minutes were very limited. Just one start – away at Preston in November – and 16 brief substitute appearances gave Villa very little choice but to cut the loan short. It’s now been confirmed by both the Villans and the Canaries that Dobbin will instead spend the next six months at Carrow Road.
Villa signed Dobbin from Everton in the summer for £10 million – and Tim Iroegbunam moved in the other direction for a similar fee – but the 22-year-old is not in Unai Emery’s immediate plans. As brutal as it sounds, the deal was done mainly to ease both clubs’ concerns of breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations (PSR).
As Dobbin didn’t make a competitive appearance for Villa before heading to West Brom, he has been allowed to be loaned to another club for the rest of the term. Norwich have offered the necessary game time assurances and have secured Dobbin’s services as a result.
It’s hoped the 22-year-old can kick on with the Canaries as they seek to catch up to the top-six pack to secure play-off qualification. Norwich are currently down in 11th place but two wins in the last three outings have brought about renewed confidence. Dobbin’s arrival will only boost Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side further, offering pace, skill and powerful dribbling.
One out, one in for Aston Villa
Now Dobbin’s loan to Norwich has been confirmed, Villa can set their sights on completing a swoop for Borussia Dortmund winger Donyell Malen. The news broke on Thursday (January 2) that the Villans had seen an initial bid of €18 million (£14.9m) plus add-ons turned down for the 25-year-old attacker.
Talks remain ongoing for Malen as Emery seeks to add depth in attacking and wide areas. Villa will ideally bring in two new signings this January, one right-sided defender – possibly Flamengo’s Wesley – and a versatile wide player. Malen is a priority target for the latter as he can play on either flank or through the centre.
The 41-time Netherlands international has scored 39 goals in 131 games in all competitions for Dortmund, three of which have come this campaign. He helped BVB reach the Champions League final last year but they were beaten in the final by Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium.
Formerly of Arsenal’s academy, Malen admitted last season that he would be open for a return to the English top flight as he told Goal: “I think, because I played in England as a youth, it is a dream to play in the Premier League. I think that is a beautiful dream.”
Asked specifically about a return to the Emirates Stadium, Malen added: “Yes I would. I wanted Arsenal [as a teenager], my favourite club. I played there in my youth, I really wanted to break through there.”
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