Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone has admitted the signing of Julián Alvarez from Manchester City this summer is the one transfer that’s made him happiest at the club.
AS cover comments from the Atlético boss today made to ESPN, in which he discusses several topics, including the former Manchester City man.
Alvarez was a surprise arrival at Atlético this summer, joining from Manchester City in a €75m deal midway through August that few had predicted.
Most had believed the 24-year-old was more than happy at the Etihad after an impressive two year spell in which he’d played a secondary role to Erling Haaland but still score 36 goals, registered 18 assists and won numerous trophies at club level and international trophy.
Atlético are certainly happy to have him and have paid a big sum to do so, adding him to the long list of world-class strikers to have played for the club.
Many of those have been at the Wanda Metropolitano during Diego Simeone’s time in charge but he admits getting Alvarez from Manchester City was the one deal that’s made him the happiest.
“He is one of the players whose arrival made me happiest since I have been at Atlético,” he said.
“Because of the expectation that I have generated with what I see of him. A guy who with his youth has won the Libertadores, the Champions League, both with Argentina to which he gave so much…
“When we had the possibility of having him, we did a great job to attract him and make him understand that this is not just a step in his life. He can create history at Atlético, he has everything an Atlético footballer needs.”
