Sporting Alert: English Competition Drives Up Doumbia's Price

Sporting has identified their target and wasted no time in pursuing Issa Doumbia, the 22-year-old Venezia midfielder. A new round of negotiations between the clubs is expected in the coming days. However, the Lions should be aware that the asking price for the Italy U21 international is set to rise beyond the initial €15 million negotiation minimum. This is due to increased competition from England, extending beyond just Brentford.

With the anticipated departures of Hjulmand and Morita from Alvalade – the former through a promised transfer and the latter due to his contract expiring – Sporting is looking to rebuild their midfield and has made a move for Doumbia. Concrete negotiations are already underway for the Venezia player, giving the green and whites an advantage over Benfica, who were also linked to the midfielder in what was shaping up to be a Portuguese derby in Italy. However, strong competition from England could force the Lions to dig deeper into their pockets. While the valuation remains between €15 million and €20 million, it is now leaning closer to the upper end of that range.

Venezia's promotion to Serie A has injected new dynamism into the market for all parties involved in this deal, especially after securing the Serie B title on the final matchday. This newfound momentum has also brought new contenders into the fray against Sporting, though the Lisbon club remains the most committed to the process.

While Brentford's interest was already known, British media are now reporting that Newcastle and Everton have emerged as potential suitors for the midfielder. This increased interest is contributing to the inflated price tag.

Sporting's desire for Venezia's number 8 remains strong, and a new round of negotiations is expected to bring the parties closer. What is certain is that the Italian midfielder is a top priority for Alvalade, where a five-year contract, valid until 2031, with a defined salary and an €80 million release clause, awaits him. In this regard, concerning the player's personal terms, Sporting currently holds an advantage over all other interested clubs.

Issa Doumbia is under contract with Venezia until June 2029. This season, a highly successful one for the Venetian club, he featured in 38 matches (starting 37), scoring 10 goals and providing five assists.