Ex Sampdoria England Star Des Walker Reveals Close To Joining Roma Juventus Who Signed Roberto Baggio Instead

FolioPitch.com – 08 July 2026 | In a recent interview, former Sampdoria and England defender Des Walker opened up about his nearly career-defining moves to Italian giants Roma and Juventus, revealing that his transfer to the Bianconeri was blocked by Nottingham Forest, who instead saw the club spend the money on a certain Roberto Baggio. The ex Sampdoria England star Des Walker reveals close to joining Roma Juventus who signed Roberto Baggio instead, shedding light on how close he came to sharing a dressing room with some of Serie A’s finest.

Walker, a key figure in England’s 1990 World Cup campaign, explained that Roma had made a bid for him in April 1990, just before the tournament. However, Nottingham Forest turned down the offer. After the World Cup, Juventus came calling, with club officials Giovanni Agnelli and Luca Cordero di Montezemolo personally involved. The Bianconeri submitted several bids, but Forest repeatedly refused, even turning down a £6 million offer. Eventually, Juventus signed Roberto Baggio for £7 million, a decision that Walker admits was understandable given Baggio’s legendary status.

“It surprised me that Forest turned it down but Forest only turned it down because the fans were rebelling a little bit,” Walker said. “Because they had said that ‘he’s not going’ but then behind their backs they were actually selling me. It got a bit messy so that’s why I ended up staying.” The ex Sampdoria England star Des Walker reveals close to joining Roma Juventus who signed Roberto Baggio instead, and he also detailed the clause in his contract that allowed him to leave for £1.5 million two years later.

That clause eventually paved the way for Walker’s move to Sampdoria in 1992, where he played alongside Roberto Mancini. In fact, Walker believes Mancini had a significant influence on his arrival, even suggesting that Mancini effectively acted as the manager behind the scenes. “I think Mancini dictated a lot who came into that football club,” Walker said. “Between me and you, I think he was the manager when I was there.”

Walker’s revelation adds an intriguing chapter to Serie A’s transfer history, highlighting how financial and fan pressures shaped the careers of top players. The ex Sampdoria England star Des Walker reveals close to joining Roma Juventus who signed Roberto Baggio instead, a what-if story that could have altered the landscape of Italian football in the early 1990s. While Walker enjoyed a successful spell at Sampdoria, the missed opportunity to play for Juventus or Roma remains a tantalizing thought for fans and the player himself.

In conclusion, Des Walker’s candid interview provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of football transfers at the highest level. His near-miss with two of Italy’s most storied clubs underscores the unpredictability of the sport, where a single decision can change the trajectory of a career. For Walker, the road led to Sampdoria and a memorable season in Serie A, but the shadow of what might have been with Roma or Juventus—and the iconic Baggio who took his place—will always linger.