I don't think he said it at all, it's always been D'Amico his agent. D'Amico has said several times in recent weeks that how important Giovinco will be to Juventus would decide whether he goes back there.
Ultimately Conte may well say that he is important, he likes him, and he will get games. But if someone is playing better and the team is winning and doing well without him or any player, then that comes first. What Giovinco does then is the clincher.