Crystal Palace are a number of clubs who are showing an interest in Serie B midfielder Issa Doumbia, according to Graeme Bailey. It is very early days but the Italian has attracted interest from Palace, as well as a whole host of clubs.
Crystal Palace are one of several clubs scouting Venezia midfielder Issa Doumbia as the midfielder continues to impress in Serie B.
Palace have identified Doumbia as a potential superstar but they will face stiff competition this summer to attempt to lure him to Selhurst Park.
The Italian starlet looks destined to leave Venezia this summer after impressing in Serie B and Palace are in the mix to sign him.
That is according to football transfer guru Graeme Bailey.
Palace are clearly looking at midfielders, as it was revealed yesterday that they are taking a keen interest in Wolves’ Joao Gomes.
Palace fans will know who Gomes is, a 10-cap Brazilian who has been plying his trade in the Premier League for several years now.
Doumbia, though, unless you are an avid Serie B watcher, may be a bit more unknown.
So who exactly is he and which other clubs are looking at him?
Who is Issa Doumbia?
Born in Italy in October 2003, Issa Doumbia has had a fairly slow start to his professional career.
That was until this year, when he has shown himself to be quite the presence in Serie B.
Now 22, Doumbia is stylistically most similar to a Moises Caicedo type midfielder, although he does have more of a goal threat than the Chelsea man.
At 185cm, he is a physical, powerful midfielder, operating primarily in the heart of the midfield, though he can also play a bit further forward as a No.10 or even on the right if needed.
It is that versatility that has got a lot of clubs sniffing around, not least Palace, as it has brought out an all-round game that makes him a standout player on the pitch.
Doumbia is not just a physical presence; he also has the ability to both create and score goals, as shown by his seven goals and five assists in 35 Serie B matches this season.
Which other clubs are interested in Issa Doumbia?
This is where it gets a bit tricky, as there are a lot of clubs who are expressing a pretty obvious interest in Doumbia.
Bailey reported that other Premier League clubs courting him include Everton, and Newcastle, while there are a lot of clubs around Europe expressing a keen interest too.
Scottish giants Celtic see Doumbia as a key target, according to the Gazzetto dello Sport, who report that Sporting Lisbon, Club Brugge, Espanyol and Southampton are also following his progress.
And of course, with Venezia on the brink of promotion back to Serie A, there is interest from several Italian clubs too.
Juventus and Atalanta were interested before he signed for Venezia and they are rumoured to remain keen now.
So, Doumbia, clearly a very exciting young talent and it is clear to see just why Palace are interested in him but, sadly, why a lot of others are too.
Palace have an excellent project and a very good record of young players coming in and going on to some of the world’s biggest clubs but even so, to secure Doumbia’s services here would feel like a major, major coup.