“They were very attentive” - Julian Alvarez names Griezmann and three other Atletico Madrid stars that spoke to him before move from Manchester City 

Julian Alvarez has named Antoine Griezmann and three other Atletico Madrid stars who spoke to him before the move to Los Rojiblancos. The Argentine striker has completed a summer transfer from Manchester City to Atleti.

Alvarez was a key player under Pep Guardiola and 103 matches for the Cityzens, scoring 36 goals and providing 18 assists. Alvarez, however, has left the club as he wishes to be the first-choice striker, which he wasn't at City due to the presence of the talismanic Erling Haaland.

Alvarez has now revealed that Griezmann, Giuliano Simeone, Rodrigo De Paul, and Nahuel Molina were the players that spoke to him regularly before the move. Apart from Griezmann, all three are Alvarez's compatriots.

Interestingly, Alvarez will now play under Argentine manager Diego Simeone. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner said (via Atleti Universe on X):

"Antoine and Giuliano were among those who sent me messages almost every day, Rodrigo De Paul too, I also spoke with Nahuel, so they were very attentive."

Atletico Madrid needed a striker following Alvaro Morata's move to Serie A giants AC Milan. In Alvarez, they have a player who has represented his club and country at the highest level.

In his short career, Alvarez has won the UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup, Copa America, the Premier League, and more trophies. Last season, he scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists for the Cityzens in 54 appearances across competitions.

While Alvarez was a mainstay in the first team, it was mainly due to Erling Haaland being injured. When fit, Haaland started all the important matches for the team. Alvarez wants to be the main striker of a top club and start the biggest matches, something he can do at Atletico Madrid.

Kyle Walker reflects on Julian Alvarez's Atletico Madrid move

Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker reckons Julian Alvarez is going to be a big miss for the team following the striker's transfer to Atletico Madrid. He claimed Alvarez should have started some games that he didn't in the past.

The England right-back lauded Alvarez's character, terming the Argentine as a 'great guy'. He told BBC Radio 5:

"Because sometimes, he probably should have played when he didn't, he probably felt that he should have played when he didn't and obviously Erling going and breaking the records that he did, he kind of played second fiddle to him."

Atletico Madrid have paid a massive £82 million to sign Alvarez. Given the 24-year-old's quality, it looks like a good investment by Los Rojiblancos.