Call it a domino effect, fate, or mere coincidence; there’s a bit of everything involved. The story connecting Francisco Conceição to Juventus has deep roots dating back to 2018. The talented winger, who has emerged as a prime target for the Bianconeri alongside Nico Gonzalez (especially after Fiorentina signed Albert Gudmundsson from Genoa), nearly made the move to Turin that summer.
That summer marked a significant shift in Juventus’ approach to the transfer market, especially as they aimed for Champions League glory after coming close more than once. This transformation was highlighted by the sensational signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, an event labeled “the deal of the century.” But what does a young Francisco Conceição, who was just fifteen at the time, have to do with it?
During Ronaldo’s time at the top, his influential agent, Jorge Mendes, wielded considerable power over all his movements. At that time, Mendes and Ronaldo’s partnership was particularly strong, and it was the super-agent who made the seemingly impossible possible. While facilitating Ronaldo’s transfer to Juventus, Mendes often put forward the names of other talented players, including young Conceição, who at 15 years old was already showing great potential despite bearing a significant surname.
While FC Porto is known for its tough negotiation stance and would likely not have settled for the €30 million they might demand now, Conceição could have been signed for a much lower fee back then. Ultimately, Ronaldo did join the Bianconeri, but the move for Conceição did not materialize.
However, the ties between the son of former Lazio player Sergio Conceição and Juventus run deeper. Francisco made his European debut against Juventus in the 2020-21 Champions League round of 16; Porto won that match 2-1. The connection persists, and now the possibility of Mendes once again negotiating a move for Francisco Conceição to Turin appears more than just a distant dream. As the football world turns, the paths of these two agents may soon cross again in the quest for the signature of this promising talent.
