Updated: 28 Apr 2026 19:14 BST |
4 min read
Celtic have been told that they must pay at least €15 million for Venezia sensation Issa Doumbia, who could be an ideal replacement for in-demand top-scorer Benjamin Nygren.
The Hoops are gearing up for a monumental summer transfer window. Not only will Celtic need to appoint a new permanent head coach, but they will also have to overhaul their team, given that they have endured a disastrous season by their high standards.
Sweden international Benjamin Nygren has been one of the rare positives of the campaign. The attacking midfielder is the club’s runaway top-scorer with 20 goals, which has naturally attracted the attention of Premier League clubs.
Some reports have claimed that Nygren has already decided to leave Parkhead this summer. He would be a big loss, but he is not irreplaceable, as FootballTransfers’ Celtic expert Martin Macdonald explained earlier this month.
Nygren’s attacking drive has made Celtic’s midfield fragile and easy to play through. Former player Frank McAvennie also believes that the Hoops should look to cash in on him if offered a handsome fee.
Celtic dealt Doumbia blow
One potential replacement for Nygren could be Venezia midfielder Issa Doumbia, who is enjoying a spectacular season in Serie B. The Hoops were already linked with the 22-year-old in January.
Celtic clearly know the Italian market well, as they also tried to sign Frosinone attacker Fares Ghedjemis. At the time, the Glasgow giants were unable to strike a deal for either player.
Ghedjemis remains a target, but Doumbia could now be out of reach because he has gone from strength to strength since the winter. Gazzetta dello Sport reports that “half of Europe” is chasing the Italian midfielder.
Consequently, Doumbia’s stock keeps rising. When asked about the player’s asking price, Venezia head coach Giovanni Stroppa joked that “€15 million won’t be enough.” Suitors will need deep pockets to sign him.
Any deal over €15m would see Doumbia rival Jota as Celtic’s record signing, so it remains to be seen if the Hoops are willing to go that high for the midfielder. Should they sell Nygren – and potentially Arne Engels – they will certainly have money to spend, though.
On the face of it, Doumbia would be worth money. While he hasn’t quite matched Nygren’s ridiculous attacking numbers, the central midfielder has been hugely impressive in Serie B.
He has scored nine goals and produced five assists in 36 appearances across all competitions. Doumbia “impresses with his aggressiveness and solidity, but above all with the timing and power of his runs,” the Italian outlet writes.
The youngster could be a perfect replacement for Nygren – but he isn’t getting any cheaper.
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Martin O’Neill drops huge Celtic transfer hint
Five players who could leave Celtic this summer
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