Sporting could end up paying over €20m for second-tier star | OneFootball

Issa Doumbia is getting closer and closer to joining Sporting, and this week promises to be decisive in determining the outcome of the process. After sealing Pedro Lima, the Lions are now pushing hard to also secure the Venezia midfielder.

Negotiations between the two clubs will intensify in Italy, where the future of the Italy under-21 international will be discussed. On the table is a five-season contract, valid until 2031, for a player whom Sporting’s hierarchy sees as a priority for refreshing Rui Borges’ midfield.

Despite Sporting’s strong interest, the deal will require a major investment. Venezia have toughened their negotiating stance in recent weeks, and the green and whites know that they will have to go beyond the €20 million mark to convince the Italians to let the player leave.

Doumbia’s rising value is also due to growing international competition. Newcastle and Everton remain attentive to the midfielder and are using the Premier League argument to try to tempt him. Even so, there is confidence in Alvalade that the midfielder’s own desire could make the difference. The Italy international is open to the possibility of playing in the Champions League with Sporting and sees the Lions’ project as very attractive for continuing his development.

Doumbia heads into the summer after a hugely impressive season in the second division. The midfielder was one of Venezia’s standout players in their run to the title and consequent automatic promotion to Serie A, establishing himself as a key figure in the balance and creativity of the Italian side.

Over the course of the season, the 22-year-old made 38 official appearances, with ten goals and five assists, numbers that further strengthened Sporting’s interest in one of the most highly rated midfielders in Italian football. If the deal goes through as expected, Issa Doumbia will be Sporting’s third signing for 2026/27, after the official announcement of Rodrigo Zalazar and the virtually completed signing of Pedro Lima.

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