Tuttomercatoweb: Liverpool’s summer offer for Francisco Conceição was rejected

Liverpool made a major summer offer for Juventus winger Francisco Conceição, but Juventus rejected it, Tuttomercatoweb reports. The report describes a bid that was turned down, not an agreed transfer or a move to Anfield.

The reported approach has resurfaced as Conceição’s reaction to being substituted against Celta Vigo draws attention. After Juventus’ win, the winger told Sky Sport he had not argued with anyone on the staff. He said he had come off and given the bench “a little hit”.

His father, Sergio Conceição, defended the reaction in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, while backing Luciano Spalletti’s decision. “The coach is always right,” Sergio said, adding that a player who wanted to contribute more could understandably feel frustrated. He said he would rather coach a player with enough personality to be angry about coming off than one who did not care, and argued that such incidents are common in football and should not be exaggerated.

Sergio also challenged the criticism of his son’s attacking return. Asked about Francisco’s one goal and one assist this season, he said the winger’s work for teammates was being overlooked: creating numerical advantages, running, dribbling and opening space. Sergio said the criticism can persist even when Francisco plays well or scores, while a spell without a goal brings further scrutiny. He said he was speaking as a coach, not as a father, before joking that as a parent he gets angry whenever his son shoots and misses.

He praised Spalletti as methodical and good at working with young players, describing Juventus as talented but still young. Sergio said the coach varies the team to build identity and balance, while acknowledging that results are needed. Juventus are seventh in Serie A with 11 points from six games. Francisco has appeared once in the league this season, without a goal or assist.

Juventus host Lazio on Sunday, October 18, at 20:45 CEST. Sergio, a former Lazio player, told La Gazzetta dello Sport he would be at the stadium. At home, he said, he would support his son; at the ground, “who knows.”