Middlesbrough’s £6 million gamble on forgotten United keeper Radek Vitek

Middlesbrough are close to sealing a permanent deal for 22‑year‑old Radek Vitek, the forgotten Manchester United goalkeeper, for an initial £6 million that could rise to £14 million and includes a United buy‑back clause. The move, expected this summer, would see the Czech‑born keeper become Boro’s first‑choice between the sticks.

Middlesbrough view Vitek as their future first‑choice between the sticks, naming him the starting goalkeeper for Boro Getty. The 22‑year‑old arrives with recent Championship experience, having made 41 appearances for Bristol City last season, conceding 54 goals and keeping 12 clean sheets, which the Teesside club hopes will solidify their defence.

United originally secured Vitek from Czech side Olomouc in 2020 for a minimal undisclosed fee. Since then he sharpened his skills on loan spells at Accrington Stanley, Blau Weiß Linz and Bristol City, gaining valuable match time before the current move. He never made a senior appearance for United before the transfer.

The Red Devils stand to make a major profit, turning a negligible outlay into a transfer worth at least £6 million. The inclusion of a buy‑back clause also preserves United’s option to re‑acquire the keeper if needed.

Altay Bayindir is also set to leave Old Trafford, joining Spanish side Celta Vigo on loan for the upcoming season. The agreement contains an option to buy for just under £3.5 million, potentially ending his Manchester United tenure.

Bayindir arrived from Fenerbahçe in the summer of 2023 and has featured in 17 first‑team matches for the Red Devils, including ten Premier League outings. In those league games he kept a single clean sheet while conceding 21 goals, and he made only six appearances last year before the proposed move.

The goalkeeping department has been overhauled, with Belgian international Senne Lammens now the undisputed number one after an impressive debut season. Veteran Karl Darlow arrived from Leeds United, while Tom Heaton is expected to serve as third choice, freeing up space for the departures.

Vitek’s switch gives him the opportunity for regular first‑team football at Middlesbrough, while United recoup a sizable fee and retain a future buy‑back route. Bayindir’s loan offers him a fresh start in La Liga, and both clubs streamline their squads ahead of the new campaign.