Sporting in pole position to sign Issa Doumbia despite Benfica rumours | OneFootball

Issa Doumbia is one of Sporting’s main targets to strengthen the midfield next season and, at this stage, the Lions are leading the race for the Venezia midfielder. The 22-year-old has been one of the standout revelations in Serie B, where the club is top of the table and well placed to earn promotion to the top tier of Italian football.

Despite that advantage, there was a recent report, first brought by journalist Nicolò Schira, that Benfica have also been monitoring the player, leaving open the possibility of a battle between the Lisbon rivals for his signing.

Doumbia’s departure at the end of the season is seen as almost certain and, for now, Sporting appear to be the most likely destination. Sporting’s board were the first to make a move and have already made contact with Venezia, submitting an initial offer of €10 million plus add-ons. So far, this is the most concrete offer on the table, especially as Roma have not yet made such a decisive move.

From the player’s side, the possibility of moving to Alvalade is viewed positively. The Italy under-21 international feels ready to make the step up to a club that allows him to compete for titles and potentially play in the Champions League in 2026/27. For now, he remains focused on Venezia’s promotion push, postponing any decision until the end of the season.

Issa Doumbia’s season has attracted the attention of several clubs. A physically strong midfielder, he stands out for his ability to get into the box and his finishing efficiency, with eight goals and four assists. Despite having different characteristics from Hidemasa Morita, he is seen as a solution with room to grow and the potential to establish himself at Alvalade.

In addition to Sporting and Roma, the player is on the radar of several clubs, including AC Milan, Napoli, Como 1907, Celtic, Club Brugge and Espanyol. In Benfica’s case, for now, he is only a player being tracked by the scouting department, with no formal offer having been made.

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