Benfica are being linked with a move for Venezia central midfielder Issa Doumbia, with the 22-year-old Italy and Cote d’Ivoire youth prospect rumoured to be on the Portuguese club’s radar ahead of the summer window.
The Venezia No 8, currently valued at €8.00m on Transfermarkt, is the subject of fresh speculation over a switch from Serie B to Liga Portugal, with reports of interest emerging on 4 May 2026. The probability of any deal remains unclear, with the move currently listed as “?” in terms of likelihood.
Doumbia, born on 16 October 2003 in Treviglio, stands at 1.87m and operates primarily as a central midfielder, favouring his right foot. He has established himself with Venezia in Serie B, where his physical profile and positional discipline have seen him used as a pivot in midfield. His current contract situation is not publicly disclosed, and with no expiry date listed, it is not yet evident whether he could be available as a free agent or whether Venezia would demand a substantial fee in line with his market valuation.
The dual-nationality midfielder – registered with both Italy and Cote d’Ivoire – has been turning out domestically for Venezia FC, who are also noted as his “national team” on his profile, underlining his importance to the club side rather than to the senior international scene at this stage. Recent match-by-match performance data, including specific opponents, dates and scorelines, has not been made available in the latest update, but his growing reputation in Serie B has been enough to attract attention from a leading Portuguese side.
While any negotiations remain at a speculative stage, a move to Benfica would represent a significant step up for Doumbia, and could prove a pivotal moment in shaping his career trajectory, reputation in European football and long-term potential if the transfer ultimately materialises.
