Andrea Belotti’s Cagliari Return Collapses After Medical Failure

Andrea Belotti’s hopes of resurrecting his career at Cagliari have been dashed after the striker failed a medical and will remain a free agent, according to Football Italia. The 32-year-old had been poised to sign a new short-term deal with the Sardinian club, but the move is now off.

A Short-Lived and Unlucky Spell

Belotti initially joined Cagliari as a free agent in September 2025 on a one-year contract, having left Roma earlier that summer. After a nomadic spell since leaving Torino in 2022, the Italian international was eager to kick-start his career in Sardinia. He made an immediate impact, scoring two goals in eight Serie A appearances.

However, just weeks into his Cagliari adventure, disaster struck. A rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee sidelined the centre-forward for the bulk of the 2025–26 campaign. He did not return to action until April 2026, managing only a handful of substitute appearances as the season wound down.

The Corriere dello Sport claim that Belotti failed his medical tests and the deal is off, leaving his future uncertain.

What Next for Belotti?

At 32, Belotti now faces an uncertain summer. After a bright start to life in Sardinia, the failed medical raises serious questions about his fitness and long-term durability. He has been without a club since his contract expired on 30 June, and his next move will require careful negotiation from his representatives.

For Cagliari, the collapse of the deal is a blow. Manager Claudio Ranieri — who had previously worked with Belotti during his time at Roma — had been keen to bring the striker back into the fold. The club must now look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements.