Liverpool legend explains why he turned down Barcelona to join Sampdoria: ‘Got offered a two-year deal’

Liverpool legend explains why he turned down Barcelona to join Sampdoria: ‘Got offered a two-year deal’ Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has revealed that he turned down a two-year contract offer from Barcelona when he left Anfield in 1984, opting to join Sampdoria instead as Italian football became the preferred destination for the game’s biggest stars. The Scotland international was at the peak of his powers after helping Liverpool win their fourth European Cup in 1984, beating Roma in the final.  Having finished sixth in the Ballon d’Or that year, Souness was among the leading midfielders in world football, making his decision to move to Genoa rather than Barcelona a notable one. His choice, however, was influenced by a combination of personal circumstances and the appeal of playing in Italy. Why Graeme Souness turned down Barcelona in 1984 Speaking to the BBC , Souness explained that his departure from Liverpool was influenced by his then-wife’s impending inheritance and the requirement for her to spend three years outside the country. “I had to leave Liverpool because my wife at the time was about to inherit money and she had to spend three years out of the country,” Souness began. Graeme Souness could have played for Barcelona in 1984. (Photo by Duncan Raban/Allsport/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) “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. “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. “There were a couple of other clubs in Italy interested, but Sampdoria had been bought by Paolo Mantovani and he was building a young team so he wanted an experienced player.  “That’s how I ended up there.” Simply put, Barcelona’s offer could not meet the three-year commitment Souness wanted, while Sampdoria offered an opportunity to join an ambitious project under new owner Paolo Mantovani. Sampdoria beat Barcelona to sign Souness Souness joined Sampdoria for £650,000 just weeks after Liverpool’s European Cup triumph.  Graeme Souness decided to sign for Sampdoria instead. (Photo by Ben Radford/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive) His move reflected the growing pull of Serie A, which was attracting elite players from across Europe during the 1980s. Rather than joining another established European heavyweight, the midfielder became part of Mantovani’s plans to build a young side around experienced talent. Ultimately, the move proved productive on the pitch, with Souness winning the Italian Cup during his two seasons in Italy. Barcelona were entering a new era without Maradona Souness’s revelation also offers a glimpse into Barcelona’s changing landscape in 1984.  The Catalan club had appointed Terry Venables as manager and allowed Diego Maradona to leave for Napoli, while Liverpool’s former captain was weighing up his next move. After two seasons with Sampdoria, Souness returned to British football in 1986, joining Rangers as player-manager.