Agent says Doumbia may not have joined Sporting: “We were close to a deal” | OneFootball

Issa Doumbia continues to go through a period of tremendous growth. After swapping Venezia for Sporting last summer, the midfielder established himself among Rui Borges’ options and has also already reached Italy’s senior national team, for whom he has earned two caps.

Speaking to Stile TV, as quoted by the outlet ‘CalcioNapoli24’, Cheikh Sabidou Fall, the Sporting player’s agent, confirmed that Napoli was among the clubs interested in the midfielder. “We were close to a deal with Napoli, there were some talks this summer, but then the boy went to Sporting.”

The agent did, however, make a point of distinguishing interest from a concrete offer. “It was a matter of talks, because until there is a written offer, that’s how I see it. There was interest, I know the coach likes him, and so does the board, but there is a big difference between interest and an offer. I thought he could have done well at Napoli. Being linked with Napoli is, for us, a source of pride.”

Cheikh Sabidou Fall also highlighted Doumbia’s path to the Italian national team. “He had a different journey: he didn’t start at a big club, he came through Albinoleffe’s youth ranks before reaching Venezia, and then we made that jump to Sporting, and the kid reached the national team on his own merit and through his qualities.”

The agent said he was especially pleased with the midfielder’s first steps among Italy’s chosen players. “I saw Issa in Rome, I went to Turkey for the match, and we are incredibly happy and proud of the career of this young man who forged his own path. With dedication and commitment, it is therefore possible to reach the national team, and we are proud of him.”

The choice of Sporting was also explained plainly. “Sporting is a European club and, when they contacted us, we did not hesitate. At a club like this, the market is different because you play to win the Portuguese league, you play in the Champions League, and when Sporting signs a player, it is because they have followed him closely; they have an excellent scouting department.”

Cheikh Sabidou Fall also added that the lions’ recent track record with lesser-known players was important in the decision. “Several players came from lower divisions and reached a high level, and when they told us that Doumbia would fit well into that midfield, we felt honored and simply accepted.”

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