Norwich City Eyeing Lewis Dobbin Return Next Season
Johannes Hoff Thorup has confirmed that Norwich City plan to hold discussions with Aston Villa regarding a possible return for Lewis Dobbin next season.
The 22-year-old winger joined the Canaries on loan in January but saw his spell cut short due to a calf injury sustained against Blackburn Rovers. As a result, he will not feature again this season, which comes as a setback for Norwich.
Despite his shortened stint, Dobbin made an impact, scoring twice in 10 Championship appearances. While his time in Norfolk has been disrupted, there remains a possibility he could return for the 2025/26 campaign.
Thorup Confirms Norwich’s Interest in Dobbin
Thorup has made it clear that Norwich are interested in retaining Dobbin beyond this season, with discussions planned over a potential deal. The Danish manager is open to both a loan extension and a permanent transfer and hopes negotiations will lead to a positive outcome.
“Of course, we have to wait and see what happens this summer,” Thorup told Pink Un.
“He could see that he was developing here and progressing quickly. He was actually performing very well towards the end based on those 10 games, which is a good sign.
“What he brought to the team was really positive. We will sit down with him, his agents, and his representatives to explore whether he can stay with us, either permanently or on another loan.
“I think it’s realistic to have those discussions.”
Dobbin moved to Aston Villa from Everton last summer in a £10 million deal but remains on the fringes of Unai Emery’s squad. With first-team opportunities at Villa Park looking slim, Norwich could have an advantage in securing his services once again.
Norwich City’s Recent Form
The Canaries have dropped to 11th in the Championship table after managing just one win in their last five league outings. However, they remain only four points off the play-off spots with 11 matches left to play.
Their latest fixture ended in frustration, as they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers. Next up, Norwich will host Oxford United in an 8 PM kick-off.
Dobbin’s Return Would Be a Boost for Norwich
Dobbin’s injury was a setback for Norwich, especially since he had been adapting well under Thorup since his January arrival. While his earlier loan spell at West Brom was underwhelming, he showed real progress at Carrow Road.
His long-term future at Villa remains uncertain, but another loan move could be beneficial for all parties. Dobbin himself would likely be open to the idea, given that regular playing time at Aston Villa appears unlikely next season.
