Liverpool legend Graeme Souness reveals why he rejected Barcelona in 1984

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has revealed that he rejected a two-year contract offer from Barcelona in 1984 to join Italian side Sampdoria. Souness left Anfield shortly after helping Liverpool win the European Cup, beating Roma in the final. The Scotland international explained that personal circumstances and his desire for a longer contract influenced his decision.

Speaking to the BBC, as reported by Barca Universal, Souness said: “I got offered a two-year deal at Barcelona, which I turned down because I needed three and, even because of my age, go to the third year.” He added: “I could have got around it somehow, but I decided to go because at that time Italy was the place to go. All the best players in the world were going there.”

Souness joined Sampdoria for £650,000, becoming part of a project led by owner Paolo Mantovani. He won the Italian Cup during his two seasons with the club before returning to Britain in 1986 to become Rangers’ player-manager. Barcelona, meanwhile, had appointed Terry Venables as manager during a period of transition following Diego Maradona’s departure.