Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Radek Vitek is set to leave Manchester United and join Championship side Middlesbrough.
Manchester United are comfortable with Senne Lammens as their first-choice goalkeeper, so Radek Vitek would have to accept a secondary role in Michael Carrick’s squad in 2026/27 if he stayed.
But Vitek was outstanding on loan for Bristol City last season, and he has made it clear he wants to leave United this summer in pursuit of regular football.
Vitek is now closing in on a permanent move to Championship side Middlesbrough. According to Sky Sports, he will undergo a medical in the next 48 hours.
Manchester United v AFC Wrexham - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Getty Images
Man United’s buy-back solution as Radek Vitek joins Middlesbrough
According to Nathan Salt, the fee for Vitek will be less than £15 million, but a buy-back clause will be inserted in the deal.
Vitek has world-class potential, and he could have been challenging for the No.1 spot at United if not for Lammens’ wonderful debut season.
The benchmark for Vitek’s sale has been set by other goalkeeper deals this summer, including James Trafford’s move to Leeds and the £22.5m deal for Carl Rushworth.
With that in mind, Vitek’s sale seems undervalued. But United’s solution has been to insert a buy-back clause in the deal.
READ MORE: Carrick gave three Man Utd transfer hints against Atletico, Amass fights but it’s over for one
By adding a buy-back clause, United have guaranteed that they can bring Vitek back to Old Trafford for a fixed price if he does continue to fulfil his exciting potential.
Getty Images
Man Utd were told £15m Radek Vitek sale is ambitious
According to Andy Mitten, even a price tag of £15m for Vitek was too ambitious this summer.
Speaking on the Talk of the Devils podcast, Mitten said: “I saw a figure of £15 million for Vitek a couple of weeks ago and I’m thinking, okay, that seems reasonable. He’s done really well at Bristol City and can go higher.
“And then I spoke to someone who’s an expert in that area and he just said ‘in your dreams you’re getting 15 million for him’.
“You’d get more if he was English. Look at the average cost that Championship goalkeepers have gone for over the last 5 years.
“But then I think his level is higher. So maybe that means a move abroad. I think his position is a strong one. United will get money for him. I don’t know what.”