The dispute between Sebastiano Esposito and Cagliari has escalated sharply, with the striker's agent threatening legal action after the club's director general appeared to accuse his side of attempted "extortion."
According to calciomercato.com , Cagliari DG Stefano Melis described the situation as "almost an attempt at extortion", a characterisation that drew a furious response from Esposito's agent, Mario Giuffredi , speaking to TuttoCagliari.net.
Giuffredi said he did not know Melis, who he insisted had never been present at the negotiations, and rejected the accusation outright. "He should be ashamed of having used the word 'extortion'," the agent said. "In our world, there is no room for that word."
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MAY 17: Leonardo Pavoletti of Cagliari with Nicola Riva and Melis Stefano during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and Torino FC at Stadio Sant'Elia on May 17, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Giuffredi went further, announcing his intention to take the matter to court.
"Tomorrow I will file a complaint with the relevant authorities regarding Mr Melis," he said, adding a pointed jibe that the DG merely said "yes, sir" to his president.
He also made an explosive claim about club owner Tommaso Giulini, alleging that the president had asked him to "pretend to renew" Esposito's contract without informing Cagliari's own sporting staff, and called on Giulini to take action against his director.
The row's flashpoint has been a medical certificate. Esposito was signed off for a period on health grounds, the agent has said the certificate related to the stress the player was under, but the document's validity became a point of contention.
Giuffredi defended it firmly, questioning how Melis, who is not a doctor, could brand a medical certificate "embarrassing."
The escalation caps a rapid breakdown in relations. Esposito, who only made his move from Inter permanent in the summer, had sought improved terms before talks collapsed, with Cagliari subsequently accusing him of leaving the training camp without permission.
What began as a contractual disagreement has now spilled into threats of legal action on both sides.
