Cagliari Send Clear Message to Inter and Juventus Over Romano: ‘He Won’t Leave in January’

FolioPitch.com – 10 October 2026 | Cagliari have issued a defiant hands-off warning to Inter and Juventus, with sporting director Pietro Accardi declaring that rising star Alessandro Romano will not be sold in the January transfer window. In a week where the 20-year-old’s profile has skyrocketed, Cagliari send clear message to Inter and Juventus over Romano: the Rossoblu have no intention of letting their prized asset depart mid-season, despite growing interest from Serie A’s elite.

Romano, who joined Cagliari from Roma on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy, has enjoyed a meteoric rise since arriving in Sardinia. The midfielder made his Italy debut against Belgium during the recent international break and now has three caps for the Azzurri. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Juventus and Inter among the clubs reportedly monitoring his progress. However, Accardi remains steadfast in his stance.

“He impressed me last season with how quickly he adapted to a difficult situation at Spezia,” Accardi told Tuttosport. “A young player who, in his first experience at senior level, managed to establish himself and play all 19 matches despite the difficulties shows what kind of mentality he has. He was certainly under high demand this summer. Other teams were interested, but I believe the Cagliari project, and above all the coach, made the difference.”

When asked directly whether Juventus or Inter had made contact, Accardi revealed: “Not directly, but we know very well he is starting to attract a lot of interest, as you would expect for a player born in 2006 with his qualities and considerable room for improvement. Representing these supporters also means not seeing yourself as merely passing through. None of us is considering letting such a prized asset leave in January. We have the seventh-largest fan base in Italy, so we all understand our responsibility to our supporters.”

That statement could not be clearer: Cagliari send clear message to Inter and Juventus over Romano, and it is one of resistance. The club’s ambition is to build around the teenager, not cash in on him at the first opportunity. Romano has returned to training with his teammates and, according to Accardi, his attitude remains unchanged. “He’s exactly the same as on his first day,” the director said. “He knows playing for the national team has undoubtedly given him something, but he also knows his journey is here at Cagliari.”

Cagliari’s strong start to the season has only reinforced their determination to keep the squad intact. The Rossoblu have collected 12 points from their first five Serie A matches, winning four. On Sunday, they host Juventus at the Unipol Domus in a fixture that will pit Romano against one of his suitors. Accardi, however, is refusing to get carried away. “I didn’t expect such a strong start. We’re enjoying the moment, but we’re staying level-headed and focused, knowing this is only the beginning; we still have a long way to go, and our objective is to avoid relegation,” he admitted.

The match will also see Accardi reunite with Juventus goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, a player he signed for Empoli from Cagliari in 2021 before selling him to Tottenham two years later for what remains the biggest sale in Empoli’s history. “He was always focused, hardworking, and professional, so I’m not surprised to see him at Juventus,” Accardi said. The director also reflected on other successful deals, including defenders Giovanni Di Lorenzo from Matera and Fabiano Parisi from Avellino. “When you have the courage to invest in young players from the lower divisions and one of them goes on to win the European Championship and become Napoli’s captain, that’s immensely rewarding,” he added.

For now, though, the focus is on Romano and Cagliari’s push to keep him. The club’s message is unambiguous: Cagliari send clear message to Inter and Juventus over Romano, and it is a resounding ‘no’ to any January exit. With his contract situation tied to an obligation to buy, Cagliari hold the cards, and they intend to play them. As the season unfolds, the battle for Romano’s signature may intensify, but the Rossoblu are determined to enjoy their rising star for as long as possible.

In conclusion, Cagliari’s firm stance serves as a warning to Italy’s giants: Romano is not for sale, at least not yet. The Sardinian club are building something special, and they will not be bullied into a mid-season sale. For Inter and Juventus, the message is clear: if you want Romano, you will have to wait.