Revealed: Celtic told to pay £12m to sign Italy U21s ace in summer window swoop
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Football Insider or go back to LFC Live.
Credit: Imago Sat 2 May 2026 8:45, UK Issa Doumbia has been in fine form for Venezia and so will cost Celtic around £12million this summer after they decided against signing him in January.Celtic were linked with a move for Doumbia over the winter before they bolstered their midfield with the free signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.The Venezia midfielder has shone over the last few months and is now in high demand ahead of a likely summer move away from Serie B.Celtic remain interested in his services, but will now have to pay a sizeable fee to get a deal over the line, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast.It remains to be seen if he will now be a part of Celtic’s transfer plans, with the club also needing to hire a new manager before any big deals are agreed. 🔄 Celtic Transfer Update 🔄 Breaking news on latest signings, departures, and contract news from the Parkhead boardroom. VISIT THE CELTIC TRANSFER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Venezia will demand £12m for Issa Doumbia amid Celtic interestCeltic scouts have watched Doumbia in action for Venezia this season, but they now reportedly face competition for his signature from top-flight Italian sides and the likes of Sporting Lisbon, Club Brugge and Southampton.Venezia look set for promotion at the top of Serie B as it stands, and so are in a strong position to demand a sizeable fee for the 22-year-old this summer.Appearances35Goals7Assists5Successful pass %90.1%Chances created per 901.56Touches in opposition box per 903.4Doumbia’s 2025-26 Serie B statsSpeaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “(Celtic) were among the clubs linked with Doumbia in January.
He’s a player they looked at when they were looking to strengthen their midfield.“Obviously nothing happened in January regarding the potential move, but it seems like it’s going to be even harder for Celtic to try and compete and sign him in the summer window because his price tag’s gone up pretty high since that as well. “You’re looking at around £12million, which would be a big outlay for Celtic in the summer window.”Arne Engels is open to Celtic exit as top clubs circleDoumbia is a box-to-box midfielder by trade and could well arrive at Celtic as a replacement for in-demand star Engels.The Belgian midfielder has been key to Celtic’s title charge this season after they rejected two bids for his services from Nottingham Forest in the winter window.Sources have now revealed to Football Insider that Engels is open to leaving Parkhead this summer, with Borussia Dortmund and Lazio both interested in a move.Celtic are likely to accept a sizeable offer for his services, with the money received from Engels’ sale then potentially used to seal a deal for Doumbia.