Tuttosport Milan left with regret as Sporting CP star’s valuation rockets towards €80m

FolioPitch.com – 15 October 2026 | AC Milan are left to rue what might have been, as the meteoric rise of Issa Doumbia continues to make headlines. The Tuttosport Milan left with regret as Sporting CP star s valuation rockets towards 80m narrative has gripped the Italian football scene, highlighting a missed opportunity that could haunt the Rossoneri for years. The 22-year-old midfielder, now shining for Sporting CP, was once a top target for Milan, but a series of unfortunate events allowed him to slip through their fingers.

Back in April, Milan’s then sporting director Igli Tare and manager Massimiliano Allegri had identified Doumbia as the ideal addition to their midfield. They were searching for a dynamic box-to-box player who could blend technical ability with physicality. Doumbia, nicknamed the ‘Bergamo Octopus’ during his early days at AlbinoLeffe, fit the bill perfectly. Tare had even initiated talks with the player’s agent, Cheick Fall, to try and secure a deal.

However, Milan’s plans were thrown into disarray at the end of the season when a managerial shake-up saw Tare and Allegri dismissed, and Ruben Amorim appointed as the new head coach. The pursuit of Doumbia was shelved, and the club’s focus shifted elsewhere. In hindsight, this decision appears to be a grave error, especially given Doumbia’s rapid development in Portugal.

The Tuttosport Milan left with regret as Sporting CP star s valuation rockets towards 80m story took another twist when Allegri, after leaving Milan, recommended Doumbia to his new employers at Napoli. But by then, Sporting CP had already swooped in, securing the midfielder for a bargain €20m plus €6m in bonuses. The Portuguese club are confident they can at least triple that investment within a year or two.

Doumbia’s performances have justified Sporting’s faith. His latest standout display came in the Champions League, where he drove his team to a 2-0 victory over Lens, capped by a trademark lung-busting run into the box that pierced the French defence. Such moments have become his calling card, and they explain why his release clause is set at €80m, effective from July 1st.

Last season, Doumbia was instrumental in Venezia’s promotion to Serie A, contributing eight goals and six assists. His exploits caught the eye of several top Italian clubs, but none made a decisive move, leaving the path clear for Sporting. Now, with his reputation soaring, Premier League clubs are reportedly circling, and it seems only a matter of time before a big-money transfer materialises.

The Tuttosport Milan left with regret as Sporting CP star s valuation rockets towards 80m saga serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of acting swiftly in the transfer market. Milan’s loss is Sporting’s gain, and the Rossoneri can only watch as Doumbia’s value continues to skyrocket.

In conclusion, Milan’s failure to secure Issa Doumbia is a decision they may live to regret. As the Tuttosport Milan left with regret as Sporting CP star s valuation rockets towards 80m headline suggests, the midfielder’s valuation is on an upward trajectory that shows no signs of slowing. For Milan, it is a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that a player they once coveted is now out of their reach, potentially forever.