Milan regret as Premier League clubs chase Italy midfielder Doumbia

LISBON, PORTUGAL - SEPTEMBER 9: Issa Doumbia of Sporting CP celebrates a third goal scored by Rodrigo Zalazar of Sporting CP in action during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Sporting Club de Portugal and Galatasaray A.S. at Estadio Jose Alvalade on September 9, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

Milan could come to regret missing out on Issa Doumbia, with the Italy midfielder now attracting interest from several Premier League clubs after a flying start at Sporting.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Max Allegri and Igli Tare identified the 22-year-old as the ideal addition to Milan’s midfield last April. They liked his ability to win the ball back, drive forward and arrive in the box. The move fell through when both men left the club in the summer, and Allegri even tried to take Doumbia with him to Napoli, but ran out of time.

Sporting beat Milan and Napoli to Doumbia

Sporting instead signed the midfielder from Venezia for €20m plus €6m in add-ons. He is tied down until 2031, with an €80m release clause that becomes active next July.

Nicknamed ‘the Octopus’ since his days at AlbinoLeffe, Doumbia scored eight goals and provided six assists as Venezia won promotion to Serie A last season.

He has wasted no time making an impression in Portugal. His first goal for the club sealed a 2-0 Champions League win at Lens on Tuesday, days after he made his first Italy start against Turkiye.

Tuttosport warns that he could end up a far more expensive regret than the €26m Sporting paid, with Premier League sides already watching closely.