Benfica ‘to bid’ for 22-year-old Issa Doumbia as Rui Costa moves ahead | OneFootball

Benfica have emerged as front-runners to sign Venezia midfielder Issa Doumbia, 22, with a proposal anticipated in the coming weeks.

Nicolò Schira reports that Rui Costa’s club are set to table an offer, moving ahead of competition that includes Sporting, and could be first to submit a formal bid.

Record writes that Sporting entered the race earlier with a package worth 10 million euros plus performance-related add-ons, but Benfica’s interest has complicated their search for a replacement for Hidemasa Morita.

Doumbia helped Venezia clinch promotion and is due to feature in Serie A in 2026/27. Head coach Giovanni Stroppa has suggested the midfielder is worth well over 15 million euros, a stance that may harden the club’s position.

With top-flight status secured, Venezia appear more open to hearing proposals for one of the pillars of their project. Benfica are looking to make Doumbia their first addition for the new campaign.

Source: Glorioso 1904