Middlesbrough are keen on signing Radek Vitek this summer
06:00, 26 Jul 2026
Radek Vitek of Bristol City
Radek Vitek during his time at Bristol City(Image: Getty Images)
Middlesbrough are interested in signing Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek this summer.
It’s understood that Boro have held initial conversations about the possibility of a permanent transfer for the 22-year-old. However, Teesside Live are told that nothing has progressed at this stage, and that the goalkeeper has numerous clubs interested.
Boro were always expected to sign a goalkeeper this summer, following the end of Joe Wildsmith’s loan last term, where he played deputy to Sol Brynn. The question this summer was whether Boro would attempt to bring in more stern competition for Teessider Brynn, who stepped up as first choice for the first time last term.
With Vitek, 22, emerging as one of their options, everything would suggest that Boro’s ambition is for an upgrade in between the sticks. The Czech youth international was one of the top shot-stoppers in the Championship last season during his loan spell at Bristol City.
While nothing is yet agreed, and similar to interest in Tottenham defender Ashley Phillips is descibed as a tough deal to do, our sister site the Manchester Evening News suggest a sale this summer would suit Michael Carrick’s side, as they look to raise funds for their own transfer activity.
Vitek has already confirmed he wants to leave too, with little prospect of being able to displace first-choice Senne Lammens at Old Trafford.
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Speaking to BBC Sport earlier in the summer, Vitek said: "I'm ready to go somewhere again and hopefully be number one. I'm ready for both [permanent or loan], to be fair. It depends on what the club wants and also on the options.
"There has been a few interests on the table. We're hoping to choose the best one and hopefully it will happen soon. I want to play every week and that's the goal for next season."
Vitek joined Manchester United in the summer of 2020, aged just 16. Before his season at Bristol City, he had loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Austrian top-tier side BW Linz.
Making 41 appearances for the Robins, he captured a clean sweep at their end-of-season awards, winning the supporter-voted Player and Young Player of the Year gongs, as well as being voted Players’ Player by his team-mates.
He's played 45 minutes in both of Manchester United's pre-season friendlies so far this summer, not conceding a goal against either Wrexham or Rosenborg.
Middlesbrough are preparing for a big summer as they look to rebuild from the heartarche of missing out on promotion to the Premier League.
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