Cagliari Secures Maldini and Carlos, Plans €18m Esposito Sale

Cagliari is poised to bring in Daniel Maldini from Atalanta on a loan deal that includes an option to purchase for a total of €9 million. Additionally, they are set to acquire Kevin Carlos from OGC Nice. Concurrently, Sebastiano Esposito is expected to make a move to Atalanta.

The Sardinian club is currently experiencing significant activity in the transfer market, with several deals nearing completion.

The transfer of Maldini is considered almost finalized, with reports confirming that Cagliari will pay €1 million for the loan and an additional €8 million to make the move permanent at the end of the season. This purchase option could become an obligation based on certain performance criteria, such as goal count.

Maldini previously spent the last six months on loan at Lazio.

Maldini and Carlos In, Esposito Out at Cagliari

In a separate, unconnected transfer, Atalanta is keen to sign Cagliari striker Sebastiano Esposito. This potential deal would also be structured as a loan with an option to buy, with Cagliari setting their asking price at €18 million. This valuation is significant, as Cagliari is obligated to give Inter Milan 40% of any profit exceeding the €4 million they originally paid for Esposito.

Atalanta is not the sole club interested in Esposito, with Napoli, Como, PSV Eindhoven, and Hull City also having been linked with the striker.

Esposito was recently involved in a dispute with Cagliari after the club alleged he had departed pre-season training without authorization. His agent countered by stating that the club was actively orchestrating a sale.

Meanwhile, Cagliari appears to have identified Esposito's replacement and is very close to securing a loan deal for OGC Nice striker Carlos. Carlos was signed by Nice just a year ago from FC Basel for €6 million and has also attracted interest from Venezia and Preston North End.