Cagliari Nearing Deals for Maldini and Carlos, Set €18m Price for Esposito

Cagliari is on the verge of securing two new signings: Daniel Maldini from Atalanta on a loan deal with an option to purchase for a total of €9 million, and Kevin Carlos from OGC Nice. Simultaneously, Sebastiano Esposito is expected to depart for Bergamo.

The Sardinian club is experiencing a busy transfer week with several negotiations nearing completion.

The acquisition of Maldini is nearly finalized. Reports from various sources, including Sky Sport Italia, indicate that Cagliari will pay €1 million for the loan and an additional €8 million to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season. This purchase option could become an obligation contingent upon the fulfillment of specific conditions, such as a certain number of goals scored.

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

Maldini and Carlos In, Esposito Out at Cagliari

In a separate, unrelated transfer, Atalanta is showing strong interest in signing Cagliari striker Sebastiano Esposito. This potential deal would also be structured as a loan with an option to buy, with Atalanta setting the asking price at €18 million.

The significant asking price is due to Cagliari's obligation to give Inter Milan 40% of any profit exceeding the initial €4 million purchase fee.

Atalanta is not the sole club interested in Esposito, with Napoli, Como, PSV Eindhoven, and Hull City also mentioned as potential suitors.

Esposito was recently involved in a dispute with Cagliari after the club alleged he had left pre-season training without authorization. His agent countered these claims, stating that the club was actively seeking to facilitate a sale.

Meanwhile, Cagliari appears to have identified Esposito's replacement, as they are close to finalizing a loan agreement for OGC Nice striker Carlos. Carlos joined Nice a year ago from FC Basel for €6 million and has also attracted interest from Venezia and Preston North End.