The £52million-rated Juventus winger has addressed the speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool as they search for a Mohamed Salah replacement
Juventus star Francisco Conceicao has responded to speculation linking him with Liverpool as the Premier League champions evaluate their transfer possibilities to replace the outgoing Mohamed Salah. Salah stunned fans on Tuesday night (March 24) when he announced his departure from the club at the end of the season after nine trophy-laden years.
Following heartfelt tributes from team-mates, both current and former as well as fans and pundits, focus has begun shifting towards potential targets Liverpool might pursue to replace a player who has netted 255 goals in 435 appearances at Anfield.
One name reportedly under consideration is £52m-rated Juventus and Portugal winger Francisco Conceicao.
The rumours have evidently reached the player after he was questioned about the links prior to Portugal's friendlies with Mexico and the USA during the international break.
Conceicao said: “I know people talk about a big club, but I play for a big club where I am happy.
“At the moment I am only focused on these two games with the national team and then I will focus on the final stretch of the season to help my club as much as possible.”
Conceicao moved to Juventus, originally on loan, from Porto in August 2024, and after inheriting the No.7 shirt vacated by Federico Chiesa's transfer to Liverpool, he bagged seven goals in 40 appearances last summer.
The 23-year-old was a prime transfer target for the Reds' Merseyside neighbours Everton last summer, but he opted for a €32m (£27.7m) permanent switch to the Serie A giants instead, where he's bagged another four goals in 34 outings this campaign.
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With Juventus locked in a fierce battle to secure Champions League qualification, Conceicao added: “I am at a big club where the pressure to win is very high. I just have to keep working and contribute with goals and assists.
“My objective is to help with goals and assists, that is what I try to do. I must continue every day to show that I have the ability to help the national team and be helped by them to keep improving”.
Conceicao isn't the only winger reportedly on the Reds' shortlist of potential targets.
Bayern Munich's Michael Olise, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola and RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande have also been suggested as potential successors to Salah.
While Juventus' position on parting with Conceicao remains unclear, Bayern have made it abundantly clear they have zero intention of losing Olise, the ex-Crystal Palace winger who is experiencing the campaign of his career.
Munich chief executive Uli Hoeness said: "Remember Liverpool spent €500m last summer and is having a very bad season.
"So we won't be contributing to them playing better next year."
Meanwhile, Bayern director of sport, Max Eberl, stated: "We're not even wasting a thought on that.
"He is a Bayern Munich player and has every opportunity here that top players could wish for. We want to shape the future with him."