An update on Middlesbrough’s interest in Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur men has been issued
Manchester United’s Radek Vitek and Tottenham Hotspur’s Ashley Phillips are reportedly Middlesbrough’s leading targets as they look to strengthen between the sticks and at centre-back.
Both have been linked with the ambitious North Yorkshire club, who would arguably be pulling off major coups if they push deals over the line.
Vitek is a highly-rated goalkeeper who excelled on loan at Bristol City last season, but the 22-year-old is looking to leave Old Trafford for regular football.
21-year-old Phillips, meanwhile, is still on the fringes at Tottenham despite starring in the heart of Stoke City’s defence across two loan spells.
Radek Vitek (left) and Ashley Phillips (right) have both been strongly linked with Middlesbrough.placeholder image
Radek Vitek (left) and Ashley Phillips (right) have both been strongly linked with Middlesbrough. | Andrew Matthews/PA Wire & Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Radek Vitek and Ashley Phillips latest
According to Teesside Live, Vitek and Phillips remain the leading targets in Middlesbrough’s quest to strengthen in net and at centre-back.
Progress is thought to have been made on the negotiations front, although the report has claimed there is still work to be done.
Middlesbrough are said to have alternative targets but could not be blamed for going all out to secure the aforementioned pair.
Radek Vitek looking for move
As reported by the BBC after Manchester United’s friendly loss to Wrexham on July 18, Vitek said: “I feel great and ready to go again somewhere to hopefully be number one. I hope there will be some interest. I think you will know when the things are more concrete."
When asked if he would prefer to depart temporarily or permanently, Vitek responded: “I'm ready for both to be fair. It depends on what the club wants and also depends on the options and, yeah, we'll see.
Radek Vitek has been unable to make a first-team breakthrough at Manchester United.placeholder image
Radek Vitek has been unable to make a first-team breakthrough at Manchester United. | Alex Livesey/Getty Images
“There's been a few interests on the table, but we're hoping to get the best one and hopefully it will happen soon. I want to play every week and that's the goal for next season. Hopefully I find out soon where that's going to be.”
Vitek has represented Czech Republic at youth level, while Phillips has established himself as a key figure for England Under-21s.