Sebastiano Esposito goes AWOL over contract dispute at Cagliari
Quick summary
Sebastiano Esposito has failed to report to Cagliari amid an ongoing contract dispute, going absent from the club.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceCagliari have announced they will take disciplinary action after striker Sebastiano Esposito left the pre-season training camp without permission.
The squad is setting off to Germany for a friendly match against Union Berlin on Sunday, but the centre-forward will not be part of the squad.
Cagliari take action against Esposito GENOA, ITALY – JANUARY 12: Sebastiano Esposito of Cagliari looks on during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on January 12, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images) A statement was released by the club announcing that Esposito had left the pre-season training camp in Ponte di Legno without authorisation.
It noted the player had not yet given an explanation for his actions, so would be left out of the travelling party to Germany.
“The club will evaluate what happened and be prepared to take disciplinary action.”
Esposito had been negotiating a new contract with the Sardinians, even though his current deal runs to June 2030, as he wants an improved salary.
His agent Mario Giuffredi met with Cagliari directors in Milan on Friday, but with insufficient progress, this sudden split puts the situation onto a new level.
It is the second such case this summer in Serie A, as Lameck Banda has still not resumed pre-season training with Lecce after refusing to attend.
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What happened
Striker Sebastiano Esposito has gone AWOL at Cagliari due to a contractual disagreement, refusing to report to the club. The dispute likely centers on renewal terms or wage conditions. Cagliari will need to resolve the situation quickly as the Serie A season approaches key fixtures. Esposito's absence creates both a sporting and disciplinary headache for the Sardinian club.
Chance analysis
An AWOL situation over a contract dispute is a serious disciplinary breach and signals a fractured relationship between player and club. For Cagliari, losing a forward option in this manner weakens squad depth and could force a transfer resolution — either selling the player or eventually reinstating him under revised terms. The story will matter most if it drags into the transfer window or league run-in, and it reflects poorly on both parties regardless of outcome.
Cagliari lose a key attacking option indefinitely due to Esposito's contractual standoff, weakening their forward line and creating a disciplinary issue that may force a transfer resolution.
Cagliari may be without Esposito until the contract dispute is resolved, reducing their attacking depth for upcoming matches.