Celtic will regret £12m deal collapsing, 100% star would have been a sensation in Scotland
Celtic's decision not to sign Issa Doumbia for £12million is one they must regret as he begins to shine on the international stage for Italy.
Martin O'Neill was looking to overhaul his midfield options in the summer as several key players moved on.
Doumbia emerged as a leading target for the Hoops to replace Arne Engels after impressing in Serie B for Venezia last season.
The 22-year-old was reportedly available for just £12m after helping Venezia to promotion, but Celtic were ultimately beaten to his signature by Sporting CP.
Doumbia's strong start to life in Portugal has seen him make his international bow for Italy in the last few weeks, and he shone in their last game of the break against Turkiye.
Celtic will surely be regretting not signing the Azzurri star as they struggle for form in the Premiership.
Issa Doumbia was a statistical standout for Italy in Turkiye win
Doumbia was linked to Celtic in the summer after registering 15 goal contributions in 38 appearances for Venezia last season.
Sources revealed to Football Insider that Doumbia was available for £12m plus add-ons as the Hoops kept tabs on his services.
They stalled over the deal as Sporting made their case and completed a move, with Doumbia since starring in the early stages of the Liga Portugal campaign.
The 22-year-old made a first start for his country on Monday night, and completed the joint-most dribbles (3/3, 100 per cent), had the joint-most touches (6) in the opposition box and took the most shots (4) of any player from central midfield.
He also created a chance, drew two fouls, had 94 per cent pass accuracy (32/34), made five ball recoveries and won six of his seven attempted ground duels.
It was a coming-of-age performance for him, and one that surely cements his place in the Italy squad for the foreseeable future.
Celtic could have had a real star on their hands had they just completed a deal early on in the summer before other clubs competed to land Doumbia's signature.
Celtic's Doumbia failure reinforced by Italian media verdict
Doumbia has gone from strength to strength this season and is now earning widespread plaudits in his home country after impressing on the international stage.
His stats are certainly not misleading, with the verdicts on his display against Turkiye from Italian media further proving why Celtic should rue not sealing his services.
Sky Sport Italia named Doumbia their MVP and wrote: "He starts off quietly but finishes strongly. He’s got pace and a strong physique. Lots of clubs were after him in the summer, but Sporting Lisbon beat them all to it. He’s worth every penny."
While Correire Della Sera said: "Of the midfielders, he’s the one with the most pace. On a couple of occasions, he tried to drive forward, breaking out of defence well with a one-two or through sheer power. And he was denied by the goalkeeper when he had the ball to make it 2–0. However, he sparked the move that led to Pio’s goal. Exuberant."