Sporting CP are on the verge of completing a deal for Venezia midfielder Issa Doumbia, according to a report from Sky Sports. The Portuguese club have moved quickly to secure the 2003-born Italy international, who was a key figure in Venezia’s promotion-winning season in Serie A.
The transfer is nearing completion with a fee of €20 million plus €3 million in easily achievable bonuses, with a further €3 million potentially added based on more complex objectives. A percentage of any future resale of the player is also believed to be included in the agreement. This represents a significant operation for both clubs, highlighting Sporting’s ability to identify and acquire promising young talent.
The move comes as a result of impressive work by Venezia’s sporting director, Filippo Antonelli, who oversaw a substantial profit on the player. Doumbia arrived at Venezia in the summer of 2024 from AlbinoLeffe for just €1 million plus bonuses. Just twelve months later, his value has increased exponentially following a breakout season. The Ivorian-born midfielder was instrumental for Giovanni Stroppa’s side, scoring 10 goals and providing 8 assists in 38 matches.
Beyond the statistics, Doumbia consistently delivered strong performances, demonstrating both personality and clear development in all aspects of his game. Sporting identified his potential early and acted decisively. The investment is substantial, but aligns with the club’s established strategy of developing and maximizing the value of young players.
Juventus had also been monitoring Doumbia, identifying him as an interesting emerging profile in Italian football last season, but ultimately failed to match Sporting’s swift move. The Bianconeri reportedly admired his physical attributes and potential as a modern, dynamic midfielder. However, Juventus are still formulating a clear market strategy amid uncertainty surrounding Champions League qualification, allowing Sporting to capitalize. This deal further solidifies Sporting’s reputation for excellent player development and proactive recruitment, and Doumbia could become another talent to flourish in Portugal before potentially moving to a top European league.
