Africa Foot reported that Mamadou Doumbia was strongly connected with a move to Turf Moor in the summer window, following Burnley's immediate return to the Premier League under manager Scott Parker. Watford resisted Burnley's reported £10m offer and sought to sign Mamadou Doumbia to a new contract.

Mamadou Doumbia, a 19-year-old Malian forward and a key player for Watford in the Championship, is the subject of strong interest from the Premier League this winter. Several clubs, including Brentford, Burnley, and Newcastle, are observing him. It was previously revealed that Burnley's interest began last summer. More recently, the player's entourage has indicated that Newcastle is leading the effort to sign him, and the Magpies have reportedly made him a priority. It is said that Doumbia and his representatives are receptive to the sporting project offered by the club from the north of England, a factor that could facilitate negotiations. According to a reliable source, the Magpies are expected to increase their efforts in the coming weeks. Despite the attraction to Newcastle's proposal, other projects are still being considered, as Doumbia currently prefers to concentrate on his performances to raise his value on the transfer market. Doumbia joined Watford in July 2024 and is under contract until June 2029. The centre-forward has 5 caps and 1 goal for Mali. In the current Championship season, he has scored 3 goals and provided 1 assist in 18 appearances. His market value is currently €800k, according to Transfermarkt.