Cagliari president Tommaso Giulini moved publicly on Monday to contain a contract dispute involving Cagliari forward Sebastiano Esposito, confirming that the 24-year-old had returned to full group training in pre-season camp after a brief period of tension over a renewal that has yet to be signed.
The so-what is straightforward: Esposito is, for now, a Cagliari player preparing for 2025-26, but the episode has exposed a fragility in the club's planning at a moment when Davide Nicola's side needs clarity, not distraction. Cagliari finished 16th last season with 40 points from 37 matches — a survival margin that leaves no room for a fractured pre-season.
Giulini's remarks were pointed in both directions. He expressed frustration at the public nature of the episode — "these things we are used to discussing at home, looking each other in the eyes" — while simultaneously defending Esposito's character and commitment. "Esposito has always behaved impeccably and has always shown attachment to this shirt," Giulini said. "He does not deserve the treatment of the last few hours." The president placed Esposito alongside goalkeeper Caprile as players who have "demonstrated they care enormously about this shirt" and identified both as leaders alongside Alessandro Deiola and Gabriele Zappa.
That framing matters. Esposito's profile — an AI overall rating of 64 with a potential ceiling of 78 — marks him as one of Cagliari's more developable assets, a player still ascending at 24. His four appearances last season produced no goals and no assists at an average rating of 6.80, numbers that reflect a squad role rather than a starring one, but the potential figure suggests the club has reason to want him tied down rather than available to suitors.
Giulini also acknowledged that the attacking department is crowded, naming Kingstone and Borrelli among those deserving opportunities, and signalled that defensive reinforcement — not forward additions — is the immediate transfer priority.
The contract question is unresolved. Esposito trained. The next move is a signature.