Juventus want to offload João Mário, return to Portugal on the cards | OneFootball

João Mário may have his ‘days numbered’ at Juventus, approximately six months after being signed from FC Porto for around 12 million euros, in a deal that involved Alberto Costa moving in the opposite direction to the Dragão for 15 million euros (plus one million euros in bonuses).

According to the Italian newspaper Tuttosport, the Portuguese international has yet to convince either coach Luciano Spalletti or the Bianconeri management, who intend to take advantage of what remains of the winter transfer window to find him a new destination where he can showcase the qualities for which he is known.

The goal is to secure the permanent departure of the right-back (whose contract runs until June 2030), although the possibility of a loan is not entirely ruled out—a scenario that would likely require Juventus to make an effort to contribute to his salary, which is around two million euros net per season.

During this window, concrete offers have reportedly arrived in Turin, notably from two Spanish clubs and another two Portuguese clubs. However, the 26-year-old player is said to have ‘turned up his nose’, still believing he has time to establish himself in Italian football.

FC Porto is watching closely

FC Porto is following this process attentively, not necessarily out of a desire to bring João Mário back, but because the club retained the right to receive 10% of any capital gain from a future sale—a possibility that, given the circumstances, may materialize soon.

Born in São João da Madeira, the international began at Sanjoanense before joining FC Porto in 2009, at just nine years old. There, he rose through the youth ranks, including a loan spell at Padroense, until making his debut for the first team in 2020 under the guidance of Sérgio Conceição.

All told, while at FC Porto he played in 181 matches, scoring five goals and providing 25 assists. At the Vecchia Signora, he has been less fortunate: so far, he has made only 13 appearances, with one assist and no goals.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.