Official: Venezia sell Doumbia to Sporting CP with €80m release clause | OneFootball

Venezia just earned promotion to Serie A, but Issa Doumbia will not be with them, as his sale to Sporting CP was formally announced this evening and now has a release clause worth €80m.

The 22-year-old was a sensation this season in Serie B, helping his team to top the table and secure their promotion into the top flight.

He scored 10 goals with six assists in 38 games between Serie B and the Coppa Italia, a remarkable tally from midfield.

Doumbia ready for next step

LECCE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Issa Doumbia of Venezia during the Serie A match between Lecce and Venezia at Stadio Via del Mare on April 06, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

Venezia had only bought him from Albinoleffe in 2024 for €1m, but the reports state that the sale to Sporting CP was worth €20m plus €3m in easy to achieve bonuses, and a further €3m in harder to activate add-ons.

The Lagunari should also retain a small percentage of the future sale fee.

Doumbia was born in Italy of Ivorian heritage and has three caps for Italy at Under-21 level.

There had also been interest from Serie A sides including Juventus, Inter, Milan, Roma and Atalanta, but none could manage the scale of the fee offered by Sporting CP.