The race is heating up for one of Serie B's most exciting midfield talents, and two Premier League giants are now in the mix. Everton and Newcastle United have joined the chase for Venezia's Issa Doumbia, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola (via Sport Witness). The 22-year-old box-to-box midfielder was instrumental in Venezia's promotion campaign, netting 10 goals and providing five assists in 38 appearances last season.

Doumbia's numbers are turning heads for good reason. His non-penalty expected goals (xG) of 10.54 places him in the top 85% of Serie B players, while his expected assists (xA) of 0.21 per 90 minutes beats 84% of the league. On top of that, he completes nearly 40 passes per game with an impressive 89.44% accuracy. For a midfielder who's as comfortable creating as he is scoring, that's a rare combination.

Brentford and Bournemouth were already monitoring Doumbia, but the interest from Everton and Newcastle has reportedly pushed Venezia's asking price from €15 million to nearly €20 million. Sporting CP remain the frontrunners and have a five-year deal with an €80 million release clause ready, but Premier League clubs often have the financial muscle to change the game.

What makes Doumbia such a gem? He's a disciplined, ball-secure midfielder who hits double figures from open play—a rarity in today's game. With 1.56 key passes per game, he's a creator, not just a workhorse. Still, it's worth noting these stats came against Serie B defenses, and the big question is whether his decision-making can withstand the intensity of a Premier League press.

For Everton, who are rebuilding under David Moyes on a tight budget, landing a goal-scoring midfielder for around £17 million feels like a smart move. But with Newcastle's financial firepower, a bidding war could quickly spiral out of the Toffees' reach. The message is clear: Everton should act now rather than wait. At that price, Doumbia fits both the budget and the system—letting this turn into a drawn-out auction won't do anyone any favors.