Celtic have reportedly made 'in-person checks' on Venezia midfielder Issa Doumbia as they look to bolster their options in the middle of the park ahead of next season. Offers could come in for a number of their midfielders, so it's likely that the Hoops will want to bring in more players.
According to Football Insider, the Celts sent scouts to go and watch Doumbia play. His side looks set for promotion, sitting top of the Serie B table by one point, but because of his impressive performances throughout the campaign, the Glasgow giants aren't the only club keen.
Serie A sides see him as a viable option, with Sporting Lisbon, Club Brugge and Southampton also among the names being circled. Whoever makes a move would need to spend around £12 million to bring him in, which could put the Hoops off. It is a large fee, and we know that the club don't particularly like to splurge a lot of cash.
If a deal were to go over the line, he could become one of Celtic's most expensive signings of all time. The asking price of £12 million would break the club record.
Player | Bought for | Year signed |
|---|---|---|
Arne Engels | £11 million | 2024 |
Adam Idah | £9.5 million | 2024 |
Odsonne Edouard | £9 million | 2018 |
Jota | £9 million | 2025 |
Christopher Jullien | £7 million | 2019 |
However, it could be worth it, as Doumbia looks to be the real deal. He could be a real game-changer for Celtic, especially if we end up losing solid options like Benjamin Nygren.
Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Doumbia | 37 | 9 | 6 | 3,099 |
Nygren | 53 | 20 | 8 | 3,515 |
Engels | 41 | 5 | 7 | 2,650 |
McGregor | 52 | 3 | 2 | 4,587 |
Failed January interest carries over to the summer
Celtic were interested in Doumbia in January; however, they opted to bring Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a free agent instead. The fee for the Venezia midfielder is said to have been smaller in the winter, so the Hoops could live to regret not making a move.
His club have the advantage as his contract isn't set to expire until 2029, with him having signed it in the summer of 2024, so it'll be interesting to see if the Hoops can get the deal done.
There are rumours that Doumbia would be a direct replacement for Engels, with reported interest in the Belgian from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund and Lazio. Nottingham Forest were interested in January, and although they've now sacked Sean Dyche, they are reportedly still open to making an offer.
The Celts know that they can get a decent fee for him, so they will hold out until they're ready. They don't have to accept any offer they aren't happy with, as Engels is also tied to a long-term contract until 2028.
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