Milan finds itself reflecting on the talent of Issa Doumbia, a 20-year-old midfielder who the club had already identified as the ideal candidate to reinforce the midfield. In 2023, the technical direction led by Max Allegri and Igli Tare had brought the youngster closer to a possible acquisition, recognizing in him his ability to recover balls, lead the action and contribute to goals. The nickname "Piovra", given to the player during his stay at AlbinoLeffe, had made him a point of reference for the Treviglio fans and had attracted the attention of the Devil's observers.
However, the change of leadership in Milan and the exit of Allegri and Tare interrupted the negotiation process. The negotiation ended with the choice of Sporting Lisbon, who paid 20 million euros plus 6 million bonuses to acquire Doumbia, signing him until 2031 with a release clause of 80 million euros starting next July. The Portuguese saw this purchase as a strategic investment, convinced that the midfielder's value can increase rapidly thanks to his emerging talent.
Last season, Doumbia proved his worth by contributing to Venezia's promotion to Serie A with eight goals and six assists, a remarkable achievement for a player of his age. His performance in the Champions League against Lens, where he scored the decisive goal in a 2‑0 victory, and his first international call-up against Turkey further cemented his reputation as a player of great potential.
Allegri had expressed interest in bringing Doumbia to Napoli, but the timeframe proved to be too tight to materialize the agreement. Now, while Sporting enjoys this investment, the big Italian teams and the Premier League are carefully observing the "Octopus". According to Tuttosport's analyses, Milan may have missed an opportunity more expensive than the 26 million spent by the Portuguese, especially considering the future transfer windows of the big teams.
With the season underway, Milan will have to evaluate how to fill the void left by Doumbia and whether his experience can be rebuilt with new signings or internal promotions. Meanwhile, Doumbia continues to develop in Lisbon, and his future remains a subject of interest for major European teams.