Race on as Brentford and Bournemouth chase Venezia’s Issa Doumbia

Premier League sides Brentford and AFC Bournemouth are closely monitoring emerging Venezia midfielder Issa Doumbia following his standout campaign in Italy’s second tier.

The 22-year-old Italian of Ivorian descent has been instrumental in Venezia’s return to the top flight, delivering consistent performances across the season.

Doumbia contributed nine goals and five assists in 37 appearances, underlining his importance in a promotion push that has elevated his profile across Europe.

His ability to influence games from midfield, combining attacking output with tactical discipline, has not gone unnoticed.

Reports indicate both Brentford and Bournemouth are preparing to compete for his signature ahead of the summer transfer window, with scouts from both clubs said to have followed his progress closely in recent months. The Premier League duo view Doumbia as a player with the potential to adapt quickly to the demands of English football.

However, the race for the Venezia star is not limited to England. Portuguese giants Sporting CP have already made a firm approach, submitting what has been described as a concrete proposal for the midfielder.

Meanwhile, interest from SL Benfica, led by manager José Mourinho, further highlights the growing competition for his services.

Despite the mounting attention, Venezia are under no immediate pressure to sell. The Italian club are understood to be confident that sustained interest from multiple suitors could drive Doumbia’s valuation higher.

With several clubs circling and negotiations yet to accelerate, there is a strong expectation that his transfer fee could surpass €15 million if a bidding war materialises.