Cagliari president Massimo Cellino put the brakes on yesterday over a move to Roma for winger Mauro Esposito.

"A deal with Roma is looking less likely. I showed the Sensi family that I was willing to compromise, but they obviously mistook that for desperation," he told reporters at the unveiling of the League's new match ball.

"Obviously I'd like to keep him here, but there are other clubs at Roma's level interested in signing him."

The next 48 hours should be critical in dictating where Esposito will play next term. While talks have stalled, the player's agent believes negotiations could still be successful.

"At the moment it's 50-50," he stressed. "I hope that the problems will be resolved within the next few days and we can proceed with Roma."