A Bola is reporting that Benfica are the most advanced of the clubs pursuing the 22-year-old Ivorian.
Doumbia, born in Treviglio in October 2003 to Ivorian parents, has scored nine goals and registered six assists in 37 appearances for Venezia this season as the club won promotion back to Serie A. The figures represent a significant step forward from last season, when he made 24 top-flight appearances without scoring after joining the club's first-team environment.
AS Roma have been monitoring him for several weeks and are among the most interested parties in Italy. However, A Bola reports that Benfica — where José Mourinho remains in charge — have already made concrete contact with Venezia and are considered the most advanced of the pursuing clubs. Mourinho is described as personally enthusiastic about the profile.
The competition is substantial. Beşiktaş have registered a formal interest. Sporting Lisbon, Club Brugge, Celtic, Espanyol and Southampton are all exploring the option. Domestically, AC Milan, Fiorentina, Inter, Monza and Atalanta have all shown interest to varying degrees of seriousness.
Venezia hold Doumbia under contract until 2029 and have established a minimum asking price above €15 million. His market value on Transfermarkt sits considerably below that, suggesting the club believe strongly in the upward trajectory of a player who has spent his entire career in the Veneto region after arriving from youth football in the Bergamo area.
A formal auction is expected to open once the Serie B season concludes, with the outcome likely to hinge on the respective selling points of Champions League football, immediate first-team opportunity and the financial proposals each club brings to the table.