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 the reverse transfer of Alberto Costa to 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 Juventus management, who intend to take advantage of what remains of the winter market to find him a new destination where he can showcase the qualities he is known for.
The goal is to complete the permanent departure of the right-back (with a contract valid until June 2030), although the possibility of a loan is not entirely ruled out – a scenario that would possibly require Juventus to make an effort to contribute to a salary of around two million euros net per season.
In this window, concrete proposals have reportedly arrived in Turin, particularly from two Spanish clubs and another two Portuguese ones. 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 following this process closely, not necessarily with the ambition of repatriating João Mário, but because they retained the right to receive 10% of any capital gain from a potential future sale – a possibility that, given the circumstances, could materialize soon.
Born in São João da Madeira, the international started at Sanjoanense before joining FC Porto in 2009, at just nine years old. He ‘climbed’ through the youth ranks there, including a loan to Padroense, until making his debut in the first team in 2020, under the command of Sérgio Conceição.
All in all, while at FC Porto, he participated in 181 games, scoring five goals and making 25 assists. At the Vecchia Signora, he has been less fortunate: he has only made 13 appearances so far, with one assist and no goals.