New Kits Released; Transfer Round-Up

Getafe have released their new strips, which you can see in this short video:



I am personally not a huge fan of the red flashes on the home kit, but the third kit (the black one) is quite attractive.

What the video does not show too well is that the small red rectangle on the back of the neck is in fact the flag of the Community of Madrid:

So, that's nice.

On the incoming transfer front, Roberto Soldado remains a serious target but Real Madrid have upped the ante a bit by summoning him to Austria for their pre-season training camp - it's not thought that they are desperate to keep him, but this is a clear show of strength against Geta's offers. Jaime Gavilán, a definite arrival, has penned a four-year deal. Granero, having signed and sealed his deal, is still pining for a return to Madrid in the future. (Who can blame him?)

Outgoing are Pablo Redondo, who joins Nastic, Nacho, who is loaned to Málaga, and quite possibly Manu del Moral, whom Mallorca are sniffing around.

GRRRRANERO!

We've got him.

Despite his saying last month that he was determined to remain at Real Madrid, Esteban Granero has decided to join up with Getafe on a five-season deal.

There is, however, a buy-back option (as with Ruben de la Red's move.)

Granero made 27 Liga appearances for Los Azulones last season.

The Unknown Soldier

As is claiming today that Geta are on the verge of sealing the signature of Roberto Soldado for €8m.

The Spanish international was brought back to Madrid at the beginning of last season following an impressive loan spell at Osasuna, with whom he hit a double-figure goal tally in his first season of any length in the top flight.

As a son of the Bernabéu cantera he was re-acquired amidst much fanfare and integrated into Bernd Schuster's first team squad ahead of the Liga campaign. But as a true son of the cantera he then sat in the stands chewing gum with the rest of the ballast.

In any case the 'boy soldier' is understandably none too pleased at being given the 'number 9' shirt and then treated more like a 99, and thus it will be of little surprise if he flakes out on Madrid during the summer.

Benfica and Espanyol seemed to be close to signing him at one point, but now it seems as though Getafe are in the lead. Should sr. Torres sign the €8m cheque for the 23-year-old Valencian then he will also become our record signing.

In news equally as exciting, Esteban Granero is apparently having second thoughts about his decision to remain at Real Madrid, come what may, next season. Having enjoyed such a stellar season with the Azulones, he may opt to come back if he decides that first team action for the blancos will be a step too far next season.

Oscar Ustari In Argentina Olympic Squad

Osky is one of two goalkeepers called up by coach Sergio Batista for the Olympic Games, which begin in Beijing on August 8th.

The young stopper only made a handful of first-team appearances for Getafe last season, fluctuating wildly between impressive stops and horrific gaffes.

In any case he will look to rebuild his damaged reputation with some fine international showings.

Augusto Fernández Bid Launched

Getafe have put in a bid for Augusto Fernández of River Plate.

The 22-year-old is an attacking midfielder who recently won his first international cap.

He's not the tallest of players but generally works along the ground anyway, and with decent results. In last season's Apertura he played 16 times and scored once; the latter part of the season saw him play a further 14 times. Overall he's managed 3 league goals in 56 appearances.

p.s. It is Muñoz.

It's Muñoz - We Think

Costacurta etc. have all fallen through, so it looks like the new boss is ex-Recre man Victor Muñoz.

Older readers will remember him as the strong, defensive midfielder who played for the likes of Real Zaragoza and Barcelona as well as *spit* St. Mirren in Scotland.

In terms of management, he hasn't worked since he got the bump from Recre earlier in the season, but prior to that he worked with Panathinaikos, Real Zaragoza, Villarreal, Lleida, Lorgroñés and Mallorca.

No official announcement yet, but the word on the boards is that it's not far away...

... and it's also that many fans don't want it. On the El Botellín board there is a lengthy thread mainly comprising fans who deem his to be a terrible appointment:

http://getafeweb.mforos.com/18849/7093532-plataforma-no-queremos-a-victor-munoz/

Some others seem a bit more pleased with the news, though.

Additionally, both Pablo Hernández and Esteban Granero have left the club for Valencia and Real Madrid, respectively.

Costacurta For Geta?

All kinds of sources are currently saying that Alessandro Costacurta, the former Italy defender, is willing to pack in a coaching job at AC Milan in order to become Getafe's new manager when Laudrup leaves.

This would be an ambitious appointment and one that follows the pattern of employing young guys who are former top-level professionals. In other words, on the surface of it it remains part of the winning formula.

As for whether or not there's any truth in it, though, we'll see.