Como are considering a move for Cagliari forward Sebastiano Esposito to bolster their squad ahead of their Champions League campaign, according to reports in Italy. The newly promoted side are seeking to comply with UEFA regulations which mandate that at least eight players in a 25-man Champions League squad must be ‘locally formed’.
Inter, who previously held Esposito’s registration, could also benefit financially from a potential transfer. The initial deal that saw Esposito move to Cagliari last summer involved a €4 million fee upon the Sardinian club securing Serie A safety, alongside potential bonuses and a 40% sell-on clause. Cagliari president Tommaso Giulini has indicated that offers for Esposito are expected, and has valued the player in the region of €15-20 million.
Esposito enjoyed a productive season with Cagliari, registering eight goals and six assists across Serie A and Coppa Italia. The 23-year-old has established himself as a Serie A player after previously struggling for consistent playing time at Inter. He is seen as a suitable profile for Como, being an Italian player with experience in the league.
Should Esposito move to Como for a fee within Giulini’s valuation, Inter could receive an additional €5-7 million from the sale, bringing the total received for the player to over €10 million. Inter are understood to have recognised that Esposito would have struggled for regular minutes at the San Siro, making the sale a financially sound decision. The potential transfer represents a shrewd piece of business for all parties involved, allowing Como to strengthen their squad, Cagliari to generate a significant profit, and Inter to capitalise on a player who was unlikely to feature prominently in their first team plans.
