Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Fri 8 May 2026 18:10, UK

Everton have been linked with midfielder Issa Doumbia, but the biggest hint yet over his Venezia future may have just emerged.

Doumbia enjoyed a successful campaign with the Italian club as they secured promotion to the Serie A, and it has since earned him plenty of fans across European football.

The Toffees are one of these, and with the details of Idrissa Gueye’s future unknown, signing another midfielder makes perfect sense.

The Senegalese midfielder has an option to extend his deal at Everton, but the Merseyside outfit are yet to confirm if they have triggered or intend to trigger it.

Now, ahead of Everton’s summer window, a potential update on the future of Doumbia has appeared to emerge.

Venezia line up an Issa Doumbia replacement amid Everton interest

Everton’s interest in Doumbia has been made known recently, and keen eyes from Hill Dickinson Stadium will be keeping an eye on his situation ahead of the summer.

A bid of £13million was reportedly sent in by Turkish side Besiktas, but nothing concrete has emerged since.

However, adjacent to this saga, according to Milan Live, Venezia are now eyeing up a move for AC Milan ace Warren Bondo.

The Milan midfielder who has similar traits to Doumbia suggests that the Venice-based club are looking ahead to the future.

If that is the case, Everton have learnt the Italian club’s true intentions over the 22-year-old’s time in Italy and have a path forward to secure a deal.

There is plenty of competition in the market for the Venezia star, and Everton may need to move quickly if they want to wrap it up.

Although, their current battle for Europe could complicate things.

Everton will remain quiet until the season ends

Everton will not be hasty at the moment when it comes to making concrete moves for any player as European football could boost their prospects.

If the Blues end up in one of those much-coveted spots, that would increase the level of player they could attain.

Doumbia, while talented, has been playing in the second flight of Italian football, and perhaps he is not yet ready to face Europe’s best.

Time will tell what happens in this transfer saga, but the Toffees will be happy that a potential move may already have rid them of a key obstacle – Venezia needing a replacement.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.