Sassuolo Signs Sebastiano Esposito on Loan from Cagliari
Sebastiano Esposito has officially joined Sassuolo on loan, which includes an option to buy for a total of €12 million, supplemented by potential add-ons. In this transaction, Cagliari acquires Riccardo Ciervo as part of the negotiations.
The centre-forward did not feature for Cagliari this summer due to a contract dispute that arose following the activation of a €4 million buy obligation from Inter.
Esposito left the team’s pre-season training camp, while claiming alignment with the club directors and subsequently provided medical certificates justifying his absence.
Esposito to Sassuolo, Ciervo for Cagliari
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MAY 03: Sebastiano Esposito of Cagliari Calcio during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Cagliari Calcio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Sassuolo has announced the signing of Esposito on loan for approximately €1 million, with the option to buy at the season’s end for an additional €11 million.
Cagliari is set to retain a 15 percent share of any future sale, as they need to pay Inter 40 percent of the earnings from this transfer.
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)
As part of the overall arrangement, Cagliari has also acquired Riccardo Ciervo on loan from Sassuolo, which includes an option to purchase at the end of the season.
Ciervo previously emerged from the Roma youth academy and transferred to Sassuolo in 2022.
Sebastiano Esposito has officially joined Sassuolo on loan with option to buy for a total €12m plus add-ons, while Cagliari receive Riccardo Ciervo as part of the deal.
The centre-forward had not played at all for the Sardinians this summer, as he was involved in a bitter contract dispute following the activation of the obligation to buy from Inter at €4m.
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He abandoned the pre-season training camp, although insisted that it was in accordance with the club directors, then presented a series of medical certificates to cover his on-going absence.
Esposito to Sassuolo, Ciervo for Cagliari
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MAY 03: Sebastiano Esposito of Cagliari Calcio during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Cagliari Calcio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Sassuolo have now signed Esposito on loan for circa €1m with an option to buy at the end of the season for a further €11m.
Cagliari should also retain a 15 per cent cut of the future sale, considering they need to give Inter 40 per cent of the profit from this transfer.
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)
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As part of the agreement, Cagliari have also taken Riccardo Ciervo on loan from Sassuolo with an option to buy at the end of the season.
The wide attacker had been a product of the Roma youth academy and moved to Sassuolo in 2022.
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