Key Points
- Celtic have been linked with Venezia midfielder Issa Doumbia ahead of the summer transfer window.
- Sport Witness says Celtic had been scouting the 22-year-old throughout the campaign and were among several clubs interested in him earlier in the season.
- The same report says Southampton made a late formal approach in summer 2025, but the move did not materialise.
- Doumbia has become one of Serie B’s standout players, with seven league goals and five assists this season, helping Venezia stay at the top of the table.
- Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, described him as a “treasure” for Venezia and said the club paid €1m for him in 2024.
- His valuation is now reported to be as high as €15m, according to the same report.
- Giovanni Stroppa praised Doumbia after he scored a crucial goal in Venezia’s 2-0 win over Empoli.
- Celtic are said to face competition from clubs including Southampton, Club Brugge, Espanyol, Sporting and major Serie A sides.
- Reo Hatate remains a recognised Celtic midfielder, but he has recently been absent from key matches, which has fuelled discussion around midfield options.
Celtic (Glasgow Express) April 29, 2026 – Celtic’s interest in Issa Doumbia has gathered pace because the midfielder has developed into one of the standout names in Italy’s second tier, with reports suggesting his performances are now drawing attention from clubs across Europe.
Why is Celtic interested in Issa Doumbia?
As reported by the unnamed writer at Sport Witness, Celtic have been watching Doumbia throughout the season and were already in the race when Southampton, Udinese and Cremonese were also tracking him. The report added that the Saints made a formal approach in summer 2025, but the move came too late and never progressed.
Doumbia’s appeal is tied to both output and profile. Sport Witness says he has scored seven league goals and provided five assists, numbers that have helped Venezia stay at the top of Serie B and edge towards promotion. That return from midfield explains why the player is being framed as a possible upgrade option for Celtic’s engine room.
What has Doumbia done for Venezia?
Sport Witness, citing Gazzetta dello Sport, said Venezia signed Doumbia from AlbinoLeffe for €1m in 2024 and now regard him as a player whose value has risen sharply. The report said he is now worth as much as €15m, reflecting both his form and the number of clubs now monitoring him.
His latest contribution came in Venezia’s 2-0 win over Empoli, where Giovanni Stroppa saw him score a decisive goal. That kind of end product has strengthened the idea that Doumbia can influence matches from midfield rather than simply control possession.
How strong is the competition?
Celtic are not alone in following Doumbia. Sport Witness reported that Southampton remain involved, while Club Brugge and Espanyol are also keen, and major Serie A clubs plus Sporting are monitoring his development.
That wider interest matters because it changes the scale of the chase. The same report suggested Celtic may have to pay a record fee if they want to win the race, especially with clubs offering European football and a bigger visibility platform. In transfer terms, that usually makes a deal more difficult even when a club has been tracking a player for months.
Why are comparisons with Reo Hatate being made?
The link to Reo Hatate comes from the idea that Celtic may be assessing whether Doumbia could strengthen or refresh the midfield area. Reo Hatate is still under contract and remains part of Celtic’s first-team group, but recent selection patterns have sparked debate about his role in the side.
That does not mean Doumbia is being signed as a direct like-for-like replacement. It does suggest the club are looking at midfield depth and the possibility of adding another player who can contribute goals, carries and attacking movement from central areas.
What do the reports actually say?
Sport Witness said the growing list of suitors is a problem for Celtic because the player’s stock continues to rise. The report also noted that Doumbia’s entourage, StarAssist, is more active in Italy and France, which could shape any future negotiations.
At the same time, Venezia’s position is not fully settled. Promotion to Serie A could alter their thinking, but the report said any sale would likely come down to the size of the bids on offer. That leaves the story open, with Celtic still interested but facing a tougher market than they may have expected earlier in the season.
Background of the development
Doumbia began his career with AlbinoLeffe before moving to Venezia in 2024, and his rise since then has been quick by any standard. He has established himself as an Italy Under-21 international and has delivered a productive 2025-26 campaign in Serie B, which is why his name is now appearing in transfer reports involving clubs beyond Italy.
The wider background is that Celtic often look to strengthen ahead of European and domestic demands, and midfield has remained an area of constant scrutiny in recent seasons. That context helps explain why a player with goals, assists and resale value would attract attention from Parkhead.
What could happen next?
If Celtic continue their pursuit, the likely outcome depends on price, competition and Venezia’s own ambitions. A promotion push for Venezia could strengthen their hand, while interest from clubs in Italy and elsewhere could push the fee beyond what Celtic usually prefer to pay.
For Celtic supporters, the practical effect would be straightforward: a move for Doumbia would signal intent to add another energetic, attacking-minded midfielder to the squad. If the club do not win the race, the story still shows the level of profile they are targeting in that position and how difficult it may be to land such a player in a crowded market.
