Coveted by Juventus and Newcastle, Doumbia Shines at Sporting to Attract European Giants

He played in Italy until the end of last season, but it is Sporting CP who have introduced Issa Doumbia to the world—and back to Italy—after the 23-year-old midfielder opened his account in the UEFA Champions League. However, some in the Sporting number 77's homeland were already well aware of the newly-capped Azzurri international. Juventus, in particular, tried to sign him from Venezia at the same time as the Lisbon giants and continue to monitor him closely, as do Roma. In England, Newcastle looked to hijack Sporting's pursuit, but the Portuguese club's project proved more enticing. Yet the Magpies maintain their interest, and they are not the only Premier League side watching...

Many Italian clubs have only just 'discovered' Issa Doumbia following his breakthrough under Sporting in the Portuguese League, the UEFA Champions League, and his subsequent call-up to the senior Italy squad. Several Serie A sides are left wondering how they overlooked the midfielder in Serie B, while others rue not acting sooner and losing the race to the Alvalade outfit.

Juventus pushed hard for his signature but hit an insurmountable obstacle: Venezia's outright refusal to sell their star man to a Serie A rival. Doumbia was the standout figure in their promotion campaign, racking up 38 appearances (including one in the Coppa Italia), starting 36 matches, and tallying 10 goals alongside five assists.

Roma faced the same hurdle and entered the race too late. By the time the Giallorossi made their interest known, Sporting had already spent months laying the groundwork, convincing the midfielder to sign a deal running until 2031—winning a battle that also saw them pip rivals Benfica, who had heavily scouted the player.

Roma and Juventus continue to track Doumbia, as do Newcastle United. The Premier League outfit monitored him throughout last season but reacted too late, finding the midfielder already committed to moving to Lisbon—despite intense late efforts to hijack the switch.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, fourth-placed Brentford also enquired about Doumbia and contacted Venezia over the summer. However, they lacked the pulling power of Sporting, whose pitch went well beyond financial terms: the chance to compete for silverware, the Champions League platform bolstered by last season's run to the quarter-finals, and a proven track record of developing players for Europe's elite.

Having fulfilled his dream of playing in the Champions League—and opening his account with the second goal in last Tuesday's 2-0 win over Lens—Doumbia has reignited past interest and sparked fresh suitors. Juventus and Newcastle possess the financial muscle to table massive bids, while Roma and Brentford have also demonstrated their willingness to spend in excess of €40 million in recent windows.

Sporting, however, will only consider a January departure for an irresistible offer, with reports in Italy this week suggesting a €50 million approach has already been turned down. Doumbia is well-protected in Lisbon, shielded by an €80 million release clause.