Sebastiano Esposito goes AWOL over contract dispute at Cagliari | OneFootball

Cagliari 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.