Inter Transfer News: Pio Esposito Signs Contract Extension: “An Important Milestone”

Pio Esposito has extended his contract with Inter through June 2031. The Nerazzurri forward signed the new deal at the club’s headquarters on Viale della Liberazione, putting in writing an agreement that will keep him with the club for the coming seasons.

Esposito arrived at the club’s headquarters around 4:20 p.m., accompanied by his agent Mario Giuffredi. Upon his arrival, he expressed his delight at the renewal: “I’m very happy; it’s an important milestone for me. This year’s goals are the team’s goals—to keep getting better and better.” A new chapter, then, for the forward born in 2005, who has chosen to extend his relationship with Inter through 2031.

Meanwhile, Karim Benzema has officially announced his departure from Al Hilal in a post on Instagram: “A chapter has come to an end; I’m grateful to the team, my teammates, the staff, the fans, and the entire club for the time we’ve shared together. I wish you all the best for the future.” At 39, the French striker is a free agent and must decide whether to embark on one last adventure or bring his magnificent career to a close.

Several social media posts from recent days have set Inter fans’ imaginations ablaze. Benzema surprised everyone by posing in the Nerazzurri jersey from the 1997–1998 season—Ronaldo “O Fenômeno’s” first season—of whom the French striker is a huge admirer. These photos, combined with the fact that Inter is reportedly quietly searching for a fifth striker, have fueled the fans’ enthusiasm—but in reality, there are no clues or transfer rumors, and no concrete negotiations have emerged in recent hours.

Benzema must choose whether to stay and play in Saudi Arabia, try his hand at a stint in the United States, or end his career for good. A return to Europe is not among his options. His stint in the Saudi Pro League began in 2023 with Al Ittihad, before he transferred to Al Hilal in January 2026. Benzema has an extraordinary resume: 895 career games, 484 goals, and 205 assists across Olympique Lyonnais, Real Madrid, Al Ittihad, and Al Hilal, in addition to 97 appearances and 37 goals with the French national team. These numbers place him among the greatest forwards in soccer history and, as recently as last May, earned him eighth place on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, with an estimated earnings of 100 million euros.