Celtic scouts ‘present’ to watch €6m Italy U21 midfielder Issa Doumbia

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The January transfer window is fast approaching…

And Celtic need it. After a disastrous start to his time in charge in Glasgow, Wilfried Nancy needs all the help he can get if he is to turn the team’s fortunes around.

Celtic have four fixtures remaining in 2025, so there will be more immediate concerns. But the club’s scouts already have their sights set on potential targets.

And the crucial Europa League clash with Bologna might not be the only thing taking the Hoops to Italy next month.

According to reports, they have been watching a €6 million-rated midfielder from Serie B.

Celtic scouts ‘watch’ Venezia midfielder Issa Doumbia

Celtic were linked with Venezia midfielder Tanner Tessmann in the summer of 2024. He is now starring for Lyon.

Hoping that this process won’t repeat itself, they are now reportedly eyeing Issa Doumbia of the same club.

READ MORE: Hayato Inamura ‘set’ for rapid Celtic exit with one club nearing agreement

Italy U21 midfielder Doumbia appeared for the Azzurri at the U21 Euros this summer, where they were knocked out by Germany in the quarter finals.

Celtic also like Giuseppe Ambrosino of Napoli, who was also in the Italian team at the tournament.

Doumbia was a Serie C player until last summer, when he moved to Venezia in Serie A, prior to their relegation.

Southampton were interested earlier this year, and reportedly had a €6m bid rejected for the 22-year-old, who has played nearly every minute for his club this season, scoring four goals.

And according to Tutto Mercato Web, Celtic scouts were present at Venezia vs Monza on Saturday to watch Doumbia.

They weren’t the only ones, though – Club Brugge and USA-bankrolled Espanyol were reportedly present too.

Doumbia clearly wouldn’t come cheap, but Celtic can’t afford to waste their time with project signings with a title race on the cards.

A 6 ft 2 midfielder who drives with the ball well, he would certainly be a welcome addition to a midfield which has looked lethargic far too often this season.

Celtic in the market for a midfielder in January

Doumbia is the latest in a long line of midfielders to be linked with the Celts ahead of January, despite the Hoops having six on their books currently.

Kilmarnock’s David Watson is another, having scored in Celtic’s 2-1 win at Rugby Park in September.

Mateusz Bogusz is also on the radar; he has previously been of interest in 2024. He is out of favour at Cruz Azul in Mexico.

Morroccan starlet Hossam Essadak has been linked too, but reports are now claiming that he is set to remain in his home country and join Raja Casablanca.