Why Souness rejected Barcelona when he left Liverpool

What the report says

Graeme Souness has said he turned down a move to Barcelona when he left Liverpool in 1984, choosing instead to join Sampdoria in Italy. According to BBC Sport Football, the former Scotland midfielder said the decision was shaped by off-field requirements at the time, including a need to spend three years outside the country, and by his view that Italy was then the best destination for top players. Liverpool had just won the European Cup, and Souness moved for £650,000 after finishing sixth in that year’s Ballon d’Or voting.

Souness explained that Barcelona offered him a two-year contract, but he wanted a three-year deal. He said Sampdoria, newly strengthened by owner Paolo Mantovani, were building a young side and wanted an experienced player, which helped seal the transfer. He later won the Italian Cup with the Genoa club before returning to Britain to become Rangers player-manager in 1986.

The BBC interview also touched on his views about modern management and Rangers’ recent progress under Derek McInnes. Souness said his own hard-edged style would be less likely to work with current players, while backing McInnes after Rangers’ two recent Old Firm wins over Celtic. His comments came as he promoted a new book on his time at Rangers.