Brentford face Sporting battle for Issa Doumbia after Venezia breakout season

Brentford’s interest in Issa Doumbia is no longer developing in a quiet market. What may have started as monitoring has now become a competitive race, and Sporting CP have moved into a more aggressive position by putting a concrete contract offer in front of the Venezia midfielder.

For Brentford, that changes the pace of the situation.

Doumbia has become one of the most closely watched young midfielders in Italy after a standout campaign that helped Venezia secure promotion back to Serie A, and the expectation around his future has shifted quickly from possibility to probability.

A summer move now feels increasingly likely.

According to A Bola, Sporting have gone beyond exploratory interest and opened direct talks with Doumbia, presenting a five-year contract proposal running until 2031.

The Portuguese side are reportedly offering around €100,000 per month after tax, which would take the total value of the deal beyond €6 million across the contract term. That offer would also include an €80 million release clause, underlining how strongly Sporting view him as part of their long-term midfield structure.

Sporting are preparing for likely departures in midfield, with Morten Hjulmand expected to move and Hidemasa Morita also approaching the end of his cycle at the club.

Doumbia has been identified as part of that rebuild. And crucially, Sporting are already speaking directly to the player.

The next phase of this transfer story will likely depend on whether Brentford decide to formalise their interest. Sporting have already shown their hand, and that often forces competing clubs into quicker decisions.

Venezia are expected to listen to offers, but they are under no pressure to rush a sale. That gives Doumbia and his representatives time to assess the strongest sporting project.