Benfica shareholder tries to stitch up Sporting over Issa Doumbia | OneFootball

The battle for Issa Doumbia has taken on new dimensions behind the scenes, with an investor linked to Benfica trying to interfere in the negotiations Sporting have been conducting with Venezia. The 22-year-old midfielder remains one of the Lions’ main targets to strengthen the midfield next season.

reportedly tried to influence the outcome of the deal.

Following that intervention, Venezia’s officials raised their financial demands for the player, in an attempt to buy time so Benfica could enter the race under better conditions or even submit an offer higher than Sporting’s.

Now, with competition from Brentford, Newcastle and Everton, the Venetian club are asking around €20 million for the Italy under-21 international. The agreement between the Italians and the Lions could even be finalized by the end of this month of May.

This season, playing for Venezia, Issa Doumbia – valued at €8 million – has made 38 appearances. In total, across the 3,189 minutes he has spent on the pitch, the midfielder has scored 10 goals and provided five assists.

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