Manchester United are close to agreeing a sale of goalkeeper Radek Vitek to Championship club Middlesbrough. Vitek spent last season on loan in the second tier with Bristol City and informed United of his desire to play senior football at the beginning of the summer.
Deal details
United are set to grant the goalkeeper his wish and cash in, with a buy-back clause inserted into the deal. Vitek will become United's second senior sale of the summer following Tyler Fredricson's exit.
Leicester City's signing of Mads Hermanse (£7.5m) and Southampton's signing of Daniel Peretz (£6m) are the Championship's record signings of goalkeepers.
Vitek's journey
Vitek spent 2024/2025 on loan with Austrian club FC Blau-Weiß Linz. He started every league game except three due to injury, and his time playing in Europe was a resounding success. He subsequently signed for Bristol City last season, where he took his form to another level.
The 22-year-old discussed his dream of breaking into United's first-team during his stint at Ashton Gate, but Senne Lammens is the first choice at Old Trafford.
Vitek on his future
After United's opening pre-season friendly of the summer against Wrexham, Vitek discussed his future with reporters.
"I feel great and ready to go again somewhere to be, hopefully, number one, so we will see. We will see what is going to happen," Vitek said.
"At the moment, I am still here, but we will see. I hope so. I hope there will be some interest. I think you will know when things are more concrete."
Asked if he wanted to leave on loan or was happy to consider a permanent exit from United, Vitek said: "I am ready for both, to be fair. Depends what the club wants and also depends on the options. We will see."
"There have been a few interests on the table. But we hope to get the best one and hopefully it will happen soon."
Vitek has two years remaining on his contract at United.
