Former England defender Des Walker discussed previous transfer offers from Italian clubs in an interview with The Italian Football Podcast. The interview took place at an online event hosted by TalkSPORT Bet Online Slots.

"Before the tournament Roma had put in a bid for me. It was probably around April but Forest had turned it down," Walker said. Following the 1990 FIFA World Cup, Walker spoke with Gianni Agnelli and Luca Montezemolo regarding a potential transfer to Juventus. "After the tournament I spoke to both Mr Agnelli and Montezemolo for Juventus. So they put in quite a few bids to Forest but Forest kept turning them down," Walker said.

"Eventually they put in a bid of £6 million which Forest turned down. Then they bought Roberto Baggio for £7 million. One of the best players of all time," Walker said. He explained that Nottingham Forest fans rebelled against his potential sale, causing the club to decline the offers. "It surprised me that Forest turned it down but Forest only turned it down because the fans were rebelling a little bit. 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. However, I had a clause in my contract that in two years time I could leave. So I ended up waiting two years and ended up going to Sampdoria," Walker said.

Walker's contract with Nottingham Forest included a clause that allowed him to leave after two years, with a release fee set at £1.5 million. "I had a clause that said I could go for £1.5 million. And I had offers from quite a few different clubs," he said. He joined Sampdoria in December 1992.

During his time at Sampdoria for the 1992-93 season, Walker played 32 games across all competitions. Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini both departed Sampdoria around the time Walker arrived. "I knew the Sampdoria team, I had watched them and they were fantastic. I signed for them at the Christmas time really. Since I had a clause that Forrest had to release me as long as they paid £1.5 million," Walker said. "You had people like Lombardo, Mancini, Vierchowood and Vialli who left just as I signed. Fantastic footballers. It was a no brainer for me to go to Sampdroia." He added that he believed Roberto Mancini influenced his transfer. "I think Boskov was going to sign me anyhow. And to be perfectly truthful I think Mancini dictated a lot who came into that football club. Regardless of if it was Boskov or Eriksson who were the coach, I had played against Mancini a couple of times, so I think he had a big influence into me coming. Between me and you I think he was the manager when I was there," Walker said.