According to TrivenetoGoal, Southampton faces competition from Club Brugge for Issa Doumbia. Club Brugge would be able to offer the player the chance to play in Europe, which may influence him.

Club Brugge has a desire to sign Issa Doumbia from Venezia this winter and is observing him. Venezia, which is currently attempting to gain promotion, considers Doumbia an investment and will only sell for a price the club considers to be very high. Other clubs are also competing for the player. According to Tuttomercatoweb, scouts from Club Brugge were recently present at a Venezia match to observe Doumbia.

Club Brugge have confirmed their intention to participate in the transfer market and it is reported that they are scouting players in Italy. The Belgian club sent a scout last weekend to the Serie B match between Venezia and Monza to monitor Issa Doumbia, a 22-year-old midfielder who joined Venezia in July 2024. The Ivorian-Italian has three caps for Italy's U21 team and was part of the squad at the last U21 European Championship. He has recorded four goals and two assists for Venezia this season. Club Brugge aims to strengthen their midfield. It is also said that Celtic and Espanyol are interested in the player. Venezia rejected a €6 million bid from Southampton in the summer, and Doumbia's value, which is currently estimated at €6.50m by Transfermarkt, is considered to have risen since. Furthermore, the player has a long-term contract that runs until 2029.