Francisco Conceicao 30m purchase option in doubt for Juventus | OneFootball

Juventus could be forced to completely rethink their transfer strategy if missing out on the Champions League, with Francisco Conceicao heading back to FC Porto.

The Bianconeri were pushing to get into the Scudetto race only a couple of weeks ago, but have now slipped down to fifth place after humiliating 4-0 defeats to Atalanta and 3-0 with Fiorentina.

Qualification for the Champions League is absolutely essential to balance the books and support investment in the squad.

Conceicao future at Juventus in doubt

Francisco Conceicao of Juventus pulls his shirt over his head during the Coppa Italia match between Juventus FC and Cagliari Calcio at Allianz Stadium on December 17, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

According to Portuguese paper A Bola, one of the first players who could be axed from Juventus is Francisco Conceicao.

He arrived on a dry loan from FC Porto last summer, with Juve paying €7m plus covering his salary for the season.

There is a further €3m bonus in case of Champions League qualification, and an option to buy for another €30m.

However, with a few injury problems and falling down the pecking order, Conceicao is no longer high on Juve’s list of priorities, and they could give up on making the move permanent.

There is still the possibility of negotiating a substantial discount with FC Porto, who do not seem particularly eager to have the 22-year-old winger back either.