The 10-figure midfielder has been compared to the former Manchester United and Juventus icon
Celtic transfer target Issa Doumbia has earned the nickname the ‘Italian Pogba’, due to his impressive output for Venezia.
The 22-year old, who has also been the subject of interest from Everton and Newcastle United among others, has nine goals and five assists to his name in the Serie B from midfield, numbers that have likened him to French World Cup winner Paul Pogba. A 6’ 2”, box-to-box, powerful figure in the middle of the pitch, Italian media have cottoned on to the comparisons between the two players.
Doumbia claims that the former Manchester United midfielder was his idol growing up and that he has similar attributes to Pogba, who at one stage was the most expensive footballer in the world, when he returned to the Red Devils from Juventus in 2016 for around £89.3m. If Celtic are interested in Doumbia’s services, they’d have to pay a pretty penny themselves, as Venezia reportedly want £16m for the Italian under-21 international.
Celtic want the ‘Italian Pogba’
In a recent interview, Doumbia claimed that along with his father, Pogba was a huge inspiration for him in the game. He also identified where his preferred position is on the pitch, having featured in a number of different roles across the midfield in the north of Italy this season.
He said: “My father instilled in me the idea of football as a reference, but I take inspiration from Pogba. Physical strength and running are my strengths, and if I had to choose an ideal role, I’d say right midfielder in a three-man midfield.”
While Celtic currently have intricate, ball-playing midfielders in their ranks such as Callum McGregor, Arne Engels and Luke McCowan, the ‘Italian Pogba’ could perhaps offer them something different in the middle of the park with his pace, power and attacking output.
Who else is interested in Doumbia?
Alongside Celtic, Newcastle and Everton, several other British clubs have also expressed an interest in the sought after winger including Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Brighton and Hove Albion. If he wanted to stay closer to home, a move to AS Roma could also be in the offing in the summer.
Despite this Doumbia could be playing his football in the top flight regardless next season, as Venezia currently sit top of the Serie B with just two games to. The Veneto side are three points clear of both Monza and Frosinone in second and third with a far superior goal difference, meaning a win against Spezia away this weekend would all but ensure their promotion back to the big time.
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