Bruges, Celtic, Espanyol, and Southampton are among the interested clubs: the figures are mind-boggling

The clubs that have shown interest in him are mind-boggling: Bruges, Celtic, Espanyol, Southampton. Just imagine the millions being bandied about in the offers: we’re talking double-digit figures—unprecedented amounts in Serie B. Issa Doumbia is one of the league’s standout players. Italian and European clubs are knocking on Venezia’s door to inquire about the 22-year-old with a clean-cut face and a Hercules-like physique who both energizes and anchors Giovanni Stoppa’s midfield, with an ability to read the game and make an impact that grows with every match. The coach never leaves him out: 20 appearances this season, 19 of them as a starter in what has now become his established position as a central midfielder. Doumbia is one of the idols of the Unione fans, having been a standout so far with two goals and consistently decisive performances—including during the five-game winning streak (and 25 points earned in the last nine matches)—that have propelled the orange-and-green team into sole second place, ahead of their away match on Saturday, January 24, in Mantua. His runs are impressive; taking the ball away from him is no easy feat. Issa is the heart of a midfield that features Kike Perez as a perpetual engine, Gianluca Busio as a jack-of-all-trades, and Alfred Duncan as a top-tier substitute. Few teams possess such quality in the middle.

So far, the club has consistently turned down every suitor who has come knocking for him. He is a talent who needs to be nurtured and protected; he can and must continue to grow. For now, he remains in Venice, at least until the end of the season—then we’ll see. Filippo Antonelli is reaping the rewards of the intuition he had two years ago, when he scouted him out in Serie C at AlbinoLeffe. He negotiated with president Gianfranco Andreoletti and sporting director Antonio Obbedio, beat out competition from Atalanta’s Under-23 team, Juventus Next Gen, Monza, and Triestina, secured the player in January 2024, and signed him in the summer for one million plus bonuses. He had him sign a long-term contract, running through June 2029. Last season, in Serie A, Eusebio Di Francesco began shaping him for the top level: he made a few substitute appearances right away, then made his starting debut against Verona, where a missed scoring opportunity could have discouraged him, but he worked on it until he carved out an increasingly important role in the second half of the season, with eight starts and a standout performance as a right central midfielder on the final matchday against Juventus. During that same period, he also had his first experiences with Italy’s Under-21 team, making two appearances in March friendlies against the Netherlands (at the Penzo) and Denmark, and—most notably—earning a call-up to the European Championship, where he started in the 1-1 draw against Spain. By the end of the summer, Doumbia’s market value had already surpassed two million euros. Today, it’s already over six million, but the feeling is that the rise won’t stop here.

ROOTS—  Born in Treviglio to a family of Ivorian origin, Doumbia grew up in Zingonia. He inherited his passion for soccer from his father, a truck driver. He is very close to his older brother, Mamadou, who works in public relations and is friends with Rafa Leao. Issa has played for AlbinoLeffe since he was a youth. He grew up with his friend Mohamed Alì Zoma, who is now learning the ropes as a forward at Miroslav Klose’s Nuremberg in Bundesliga 2. The Bergamo-based club has supported Issa’s development, found him an apartment in Zanica, and helped him believe in himself and in the prospect of a professional career. Interest from a Serie B club has made him more responsible, and today in Venice he is becoming a key player. The calls for him are strong, both from Italy and across Europe. Venezia hopes to hold on to him a little longer—perhaps even into Serie A.