Southampton facing Celtic transfer battle in January after recent €6m bid | OneFootball

Issa Doumbia was wanted by Southampton in the summer transfer window

Scottish Premiership champions Celtic are set to rival Southampton FC in the transfer battle for Venezia FC midfielder, Issa Doumbia.

That is according to a fresh report from Italian sports outlet, Tutto Mercato Web, which states that the Glasgow outfit had sent representatives to cast an eye on the young Italian midfield prospect in his side's outing against Monza at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Saturday afternoon, in which they emerged 2-0 victors.

It was a rather disappointing weekend of results for the aforementioned British sides, though. Saints were unable to continue the momentum they had built up against Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion following the permanent appointment of Tonda Eckert at St Mary's last week, as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against lowly Norwich City at Carrow Road in an extremely below-par performance, although Jovon Makama's second of the afternoon, which game the Norfolk side a first home victory for 11 months, came in extremely controversial fashion.

It has been a just as chaotic first four months of the season at Parkhead too, with Wilfried Nancy not having the start he would have envisaged after becoming Brendan Rodgers' permanent successor.

The Frenchman has now taken charge of three matches across all competitions, with a major league defeat against current SPFL leaders, Hearts coming before subsequent losses to Roma in the UEFA Europa League and a disastrous 3-1 result against St Mirren at Hampden Park in the Scottish League Cup final on Sunday afternoon.

Given the inconsistencies which have plagued the seasons of Celtic and the Saints, it is perhaps no surprise that Nancy and Eckert are already linked with a plethora of potential transfer moves, with their maiden window in charge opening in just over two weeks.

Yet, despite under-fire Saints technical director, Johannes Spors, recently outlining the Championship side's transfer plans, they look set to do battle with the side north of the border for Doumbia's signature after missing out on a deal in the final days of the summer window.

Celtic FC set to rival Southampton FC in transfer battle for Venezia FC's Issa Doumbia

Indeed, the most recent window was one of intense overhaul at St Mary's following Saints' second relegation from the Premier League in three years, with Will Still hoping to mould a side capable of immediately challenging for promotion.

Of course, it has been well-documented that the 32-year-old was unable to do just that, as the newly-relegated side won just two of his 13 league games in charge before he was dismissed by Sport Republic on November 2nd.

Still was also unable to land the services of Doumbia, who had also suffered relegation last term with the Venice club to Serie B, with Tutto Mercato Web reporting on August 31st that the South Coast side had lodged an offer of at least €6m, which could have risen up to €10m as a result of various add-ons.

As previously mentioned, technical director Spors stated in a recent interview with the Daily Echo: "We won't be big spenders in January for two reasons. The club is not in a position to let us be big spenders, and we don't need it."

However, the aforementioned Italian publication have since stated that Saints remain interested in the 22-year-old, who has been capped three times by the 'Azzuri' at Under-21 level, earning the first of those on March 21st.

It has been stated, though, that the Treviglio-born man is not short of suitors whatsoever, with representatives from Celtic, Espanyol and Club Brugge all present at Saturday's game against Monza, in which he played the full 90 plus minutes.

Doumbia is under contract with Venezia until the summer of 2029 after signing from AlbinoLeffe last August, and has scored twice and posted as many assists in 16 Serie B appearances, as well as scoring a brace against Mantova in the first round of the Coppa Italia on August 16th.

Southampton FC will hope to pull off transfer coup with Issa Doumbia transfer

Doumbia is clearly a talented player who Southampton have kept tabs on despite a change in management. And, with the status the trio of potential rivals in this transfer saga hold, it could represent a transfer coup for Eckert.

The German will also be familiar with Doumbia's attributes and potential, having worked as assistant to Patrick Vieira at Genoa before initially moving to St Mary's as Under-21s head coach in the summer.

It must be said that Saints are fairly well-stacked in central midfield at present with five natural options, although one of those in Joe Aribo could soon be headed for the exit door.

Therefore, a move for Doumbia could make sense, with there also still plenty of time for Saints to break into the play-off picture in the second half of the season.