After Zalazar, Varandas set to snatch another Benfica target | OneFootball

Sporting are closer to securing yet another signing at Benfica’s expense. After wrapping up Rodrigo Zalazar in a lightning-fast deal with Braga, the Alvalade club now want to do the same with Issa Doumbia, the 22-year-old midfielder who has also been under consideration by the red-and-white hierarchy led by Rui Costa.

According to newspaper A Bola, the Alvalade side are very close to finalising the details of Doumbia’s signing. By all accounts, the deal to bring in the Italy under-21 international is close to being completed, even before the Portuguese Cup final, with Sporting set to pay around €20 million to Venezia.

Doumbia’s arrival is seen as another piece in the real revolution Sporting want to carry out in midfield. After Rodrigo Zalazar and Pedro Lima, signed from AVS SAD, the Lions see the Italian as a signing to fill the gaps left by Morita and Hjulmand, who are set to leave in the summer, while also safeguarding Daniel Bragança’s situation, as he enters the final year of his contract.

Issa Doumbia has been a player attracting strong interest from Europe’s top leagues. However, several rumours had placed Benfica as the club best positioned to sign the Italian midfielder. But, as A Bola explains, the Lions are expected to be the next step in the 22-year-old footballer’s career.

This season, playing for Venezia, Issa Doumbia - valued at €8 million - has already made 38 official appearances: 37 in Serie B and one in the Coppa Italia. .

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.