Cagliari’s salary row with Esposito fuels Sardinia showdown

Sebastiano Esposito’s agent has publicly refuted Cagliari’s claim that the striker went AWOL from training, insisting the club’s statements are lies and that they merely want to sell him, as the dispute over his contract, which runs to June 2030, escalates in Sardinia.

The club accused the 24‑year‑old of abandoning the training camp without permission, prompting a disciplinary warning. In response, agent Mario Giuffredi told TuttoCagliari.net that the allegations are false and that the club is trying to force a sale.

Esposito’s move became permanent just weeks after a loan from Inter, with Cagliari paying €4 million plus add‑ons and granting Inter a 40 percent cut of any future profit. The player, a product of the Inter academy, had previously been on loan at SPAL, Venezia, FC Basel, RSC Anderlecht, Bari, Sampdoria and Empoli.

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Negotiations over a new salary broke down yesterday despite the player’s request for an improved deal. The agent said talks had continued for two months, but the club was not open to a renewal, leaving the striker happy to stay under his existing terms.

Giuffredi recounted a late‑night phone call from 9 pm to 2 am with director of sport Pietro Accardi and coach Fabio Pisacane, during which they agreed Esposito should have a few days off due to profound stress and would return to training on August 5 after a friendly in Germany.

CAGLIARI released a statement reiterating that Esposito left the camp without authorization and would face sanctions. The agent countered, alleging President Tommaso Giulini intended to sell the player and that a meeting in Milan ended abruptly when the president left after fifteen minutes.

On the pitch, Esposito has been productive, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in 39 appearances across Serie A and the Coppa Italia. He celebrated a 1‑0 goal against US Cremonese on April 11, 2026 and later converted a penalty versus US Sassuolo on April 4, 2026, underscoring his importance to the squad.