Ranieri reveals Roma wanted Walker and Kolo Muani in January | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri has revealed that Roma explored options surrounding Kyle Walker and Randal Kolo Muani during the January transfer window, but weren’t able to sign either due to financial reasons and spaces in the Giallorossi squad for non-EU players.

Ranieri gave an in-depth review of Roma’s finances and future cost-cutting plans during his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Serie A match between the Giallorossi and Venezia.

Roma signed five players over the course of the January transfer window, namely Pierluigi Gollini, Devyne Rensch, Anass Salah-Eddine, Victor Nelsson and Lucas Gourna-Douath, but the Giallorossi had also explored options around two other players who moved to Serie A over the last month.

Ranieri reveals Roma wanted Walker and Kolo Muani

NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus during the Serie A match between Napoli and Juventus at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

During his press conference on Friday, Ranieri revealed that both Walker and Kolo Muani were of interest to Roma before they joined Milan and Juventus from Manchester City and PSG respectively.

“We wanted Kolo Muani, both me and the President, but we couldn’t. It’s easy to talk,” Ranieri told the press on Friday.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Kyle Walker of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Later in his presser, the 73-year-old also spoke about Walker: “We could have got him, too, but we had no money. And we couldn’t take another non-EU player.”