Francisco Conceicao was acquired for Thiago Motta on a season-long loan deal that cost €7 million (US$7.9m), with an additional €3m (US$3.4m) in potential bonuses.
He was brought in to replace outcast Matias Soule, who has been in top form since joining AS Roma for €26m (US$29.5m) last July.
There was a gentlemen’s agreement between the Primeira Liga club and Juventus, facilitated by super agent Jorge Mendes,with an unconditional option to purchase Conceicao for €30m (US$34m).
Conceicao was a pivotal player under Motta. Since Igor Tudor took over from Motta, as interim head coach in late March, the 22-year-old has been exiled.
With Turkish talent Kenan Yildiz serving a two-match ban following a foolish red card, it was expected that Conceicao would be given a chance to prove his worth to Tudor.
Cameo showings as a sub
Yet he was surprisingly overlooked for a starting berth against Bologna on Sunday, although made a brief appearance as a 77th-minute substitute.
With another match against a Champions League-chasing rival on Saturday, when Juve visit Lazio, Conceicao will probably be subjected to warming the bench once more.
There’s no indication that Conceicao will be given minutes, as Tudor has his favorite players and sticks with them.
Although Porto have granted a loan extension for the Club World Cup finals in June and July, there’s only a slender chance that Conceicao will feature as anything more than a late substitute.
Tudor will trigger talks with the club hierarchy should he secure Champions League involvement next year by finishing in Serie A’s top four positions. If the Croatian remains in charge then Conceicao will undoubtedly be returning to Porto.
Giuntoli under pressure
Juve sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli’s future also hinges on Tudor securing a place in next season’s top continental club competition. He joined from Napoli and in his second campaign has made some major mistakes.
Opting for Motta from Bologna, who then was given carte blanche with the transfer ins and outs, on top of other issues at Juventus meant that Giuntoli had to try and rescue the club’s season.
Well-known Serie A troubleshooter Tudor answered the SOS call from Giuntoli, and has been grinding out the results to pick up points apart from the blip against Parma.
Tudor has yet to produce exciting and eye-catching performances from the squad he inherited, which leaves his potential appointment in the balance.
Final furlong beckons
Three league matches remain for Tudor to earn a top four finish, although last season he failed to secure any form of European soccer for Lazio during his short stint. The club finished the campaign in seventh after slipping up in their final few Serie A games.
With Sporting Lisbon’s Francisco Trincao in spectacular form, the 25-year-old former Barcelona player is being considered by Juventus to take over the gap when Conceicao returns to the Portuguese top tier.
Until Juve can net a highly lucrative Champions League berth, the majority of Giuntoli’s transfer targets are ambitious and that includes whizzy winger Trincao for €40m (US$47.2m).
With the uncertainty about Conceicao’s future, his agent Mendes is looking around for opportunities away from the Turin titans.
With five goals from 30 Juve appearances, and some impressive displays when he starts matches, it is no wonder that AC Milan and AS Roma are monitoring his situation.