News Focus
- Issa Doumbia completes transfer from Venezia to Sporting CP
- The deal contains an €80 million release clause
- Venezia will receive a percentage of any future sale fee
- The 22-year-old midfielder scored 10 goals in Serie B this season
- Italy U21 international turned down approaches from Juventus, Inter and AC Milan
Venezia have secured promotion to Serie A, but they will compete in the top flight without their star midfielder. The club confirmed this week that Issa Doumbia has joined Sporting CP in a permanent transfer. The Portuguese side have inserted an €80 million release clause into the contract.
The 22-year-old enjoyed an outstanding campaign in Italy’s second tier. He helped Venezia finish top of the Serie B table through his impressive displays in the centre of the pitch. Across 38 appearances in the league and Coppa Italia, he scored 10 goals and provided six assists.
Doumbia was born in Italy to Ivorian parents. He has earned three caps for the Italian Under-21 national team. His performances attracted attention from several major Serie A sides, including Juventus, Inter, AC Milan, Roma and Atalanta.
However, none of these Italian giants could match the financial offer tabled by Sporting CP. The deal also benefits Venezia financially in the long term, as the Lagunari retain a small percentage of any future transfer fee should the Portuguese club sell the player later.