Report: Sassuolo considering Acerbi opportunity after Leysen injury
MILAN, ITALY - MAY 03: Francesco Acerbi of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates after being confirmed as Serie A champions following victory in the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Parma Calcio 1913 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Sassuolo are weighing up their options following a long-term injury to centre-back Fedde Leysen, and according to reports on Thursday, former Inter and Italy defender Francesco Acerbi is among the players they could turn to.
Report: Sassuolo weighing up potential Acerbi return
Leysen joined Sassuolo on loan with an option to buy from Union Saint-Gilloise during the summer transfer window but is set to miss the vast majority of the 2026-27 campaign after suffering a major cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Sunday’s Serie A draw against Milan.
Sassuolo still have several other options at centre-back, including Jay Idzes, Fali Cande, Duje Caleta-Car and Cas Odenthal, but reports from SportItalia claim that they are also considering dipping into the free agent market to bolster their ranks.
Among those options is 38-year-old former Italy international Acerbi, who has been available as a free agent following the end of his contract with Inter back in June. He had previously spent five years on Sassuolo’s books between 2013 and 2018, making 173 appearances across all competitions including 157 in Serie A.
There are few players more experienced in Serie A than the veteran centre-back, who has 423 appearances to his name in the Italian top flight across spells with Inter, Lazio, Sassuolo, Chievo and Milan.
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