According to a report by Barca Universal on Friday October 16, 2026, Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has revealed that he rejected a two-year contract offer from Barcelona in 1984 because he needed a three-year deal, eventually choosing to join Italian side Sampdoria instead.

The former Scotland international explained that personal circumstances and the growing appeal of Italian football influenced his decision to leave Anfield.

Souness departed Liverpool shortly after helping the club win the European Cup in 1984, defeating Roma in the final. He was also among the world’s leading midfielders at the time, finishing sixth in that year’s Ballon d’Or rankings.

Speaking to the BBC, the former Liverpool captain explained that his departure was partly connected to his then-wife’s impending inheritance. She needed to spend three years outside the country, which influenced his decision to move abroad.

“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 explained.

He admitted that Barcelona had presented an opportunity but could not offer the length of contract he required.

“I got offered a two-year deal at Barcelona, which I turned down because I needed three,” he revealed.

Souness also highlighted the attraction of Serie A during the 1980s, when several of the world’s finest players were moving to Italy. Sampdoria, under new owner Paolo Mantovani, were building a young squad and wanted an experienced midfielder to strengthen the project.

The Italian club secured his signature for £650,000 just weeks after Liverpool’s European Cup triumph. His decision proved worthwhile, as he won the Italian Cup during his two-season spell in Genoa.

Barcelona were also entering a new chapter at the time. The Catalan club appointed Terry Venables as manager in 1984 and allowed Diego Maradona to leave for Napoli.

After completing his spell at Sampdoria, Souness returned to British football in 1986. He joined Rangers, where he took on the dual responsibility of player-manager.