Everton and Newcastle United are interested in signing Venezia midfielder Issa Doumbia for the 2026/27 season. The 22-year-old scored 10 goals and provided five assists in Serie B, showcasing impressive stats.
Serie B’s Goal-Scoring Midfield Gem Eyes Premier League Move: Should Everton Beat Newcastle To His Signature?
Everton and Newcastle United are the latest Premier League clubs linked with Venezia midfielder Issa Doumbia ahead of the 2026/27 season, per Portuguese outlet A Bola (via Sport Witness). The 22-year-old was a massive part of Venezia’s promotion-winning season, racking up 10 goals and five assists across 38 appearances.
His stats back up what people see on the pitch as his non-penalty xG (10.54) puts him in the top 85% of Serie B players, and his xA of 0.21 per 90 minutes is better than 84% of the rest of the league. He also completes 89.44% of his passes, averaging nearly 40 per game.
Brentford and Bournemouth were already keen, but Everton and Newcastle’s interest has reportedly bumped Venezia’s asking price from €15m to nearly €20m. Sporting CP are still the frontrunners and have a five-year deal and an €80m release clause ready to go, but Premier League money usually has a way of changing things.
Issa Doumbia scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 38 appearances, with a non-penalty xG of 10.54 and an xA of 0.21 per 90 minutes.
Everton and Newcastle United are the Premier League clubs linked with signing Issa Doumbia from Venezia.
The expected transfer fee for Issa Doumbia is moving towards €20 million.
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LECCE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Issa Doumbia of Venezia during the Serie A match between Lecce and Venezia at Stadio Via del Mare on April 06, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Doumbia is a bit of a rarity. He is a box-to-box midfielder who hits double figures from open play while staying disciplined and accurate on the ball. With 1.56 key passes per game, he’s a creator, not just a runner. That said, it’s worth noting that those numbers came against Serie B defences.
The big question is whether his decision-making will hold up against a Premier League press. For an Everton side rebuilding under David Moyes on a tight budget, finding a midfielder who can chip in with goals is huge. At roughly £17m, Doumbia looks like a smart piece of business.
Honestly, Everton should make a move now rather than wait. With Newcastle’s financial backing, a bidding war is only going to hurt the Toffees. At £17m, Doumbia fits both the budget and the system. Letting this turn into a drawn-out auction won’t do anyone at Everton any favours.