Middlesbrough appear to be closing in on the capture of a Manchester United goalkeeper
Middlesbrough have reportedly agreed a deal worth up to £14m to sign goalkeeper Radek Vitek from Manchester United.
The 22-year-old, a former Czech Republic youth international, spent last season on loan at Bristol City. He excelled at Ashton Gate, but a first-team breakthrough at Old Trafford does not appear imminent.
Middlesbrough have been strongly linked with the highly-rated stopper and a breakthrough now appears to have been made.
Radek Vitek looks set for a permanent move away from Manchester United.placeholder image
Radek Vitek looks set for a permanent move away from Manchester United. | OLE MARTIN WOLD/NTB/AFP via Getty Images
Middlesbrough ‘agree deal’ with Manchester United
According to Sky Sports, an agreement between Boro and the Red Devils has been reached.
The fee will reportedly rise to £14m with bonuses and Manchester United are said to have inserted a 35 per cent sell-on clause, entitling the club to a slice of any fee Middlesbrough receive for Vitek in the future.
There is also thought to be matching rights and a buy-back option in the goalkeeper’s contract, which will become official upon the completion of a medical supposedly set to take place within the next 24 hours.
Middlesbrough would be landing a goalkeeper who has already proven himself at Championship level, but still has plenty of room for growth.
Vitek, on the other hand, would get a chance to establish himself as a number one and lay down roots.
Manchester United's Radek Vitek spent last season on loan at Bristol City.placeholder image
Manchester United's Radek Vitek spent last season on loan at Bristol City. | Jasper Wax/Getty Images
Radek Vitek looking to establish himself
As reported by the BBC after Manchester United’s friendly loss to Wrexham last month, Vitrek 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.
“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.”