Manchester United's summer reset is reaching the goalkeeping group. Radek Vitek is close to a permanent move to Middlesbrough after an impressive loan spell at Bristol City, while Altay Bayındır is nearing a season-long loan to Celta Vigo.

Vitek's move to Middlesbrough

The Vitek deal is the more advanced of the two. The agreement could be worth up to £14 million, with bonuses, matching rights, a buy-back option and a sell-on clause of up to 35 per cent. That structure tells you Manchester United are not treating him as a simple sale, even if the move is heading toward Middlesbrough.

Vitek arrived at Old Trafford from Sigma Olomouc in 2020, and the Bristol City spell has clearly done enough to put him in line for a permanent step up. United are trying to keep some control over the next stage of his career, which is a sensible stance for a young goalkeeper who still has development value.

Bayındır's loan and United's wider trim

Bayındır's move looks different but points in the same direction. Celta Vigo are close to taking him on loan for a season, with his wages covered and performance-related bonuses included. The Spanish club also reportedly have an option to make the move permanent for £3.5 million, with a sell-on clause for United.

There is a wider reason this clear-out is happening now. United played only 40 matches across all competitions last season, and a lighter schedule makes it easier to trim the group without stretching the squad. United's third-place finish in 2025 and 71-point league total also give the club more room to focus on pruning depth rather than emergency repair.

Bayindir's recent level has been solid rather than standout, with a 6.4 average rating across his last five league games. That does not make the loan inevitable on its own, but it fits the picture of a goalkeeper moving on for minutes elsewhere while United cut the size of the position.

Two departures in the same position is a clear sign of the work being done. If both moves land, United will have stripped down their goalkeeper group before the rest of the summer business has even fully opened up.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →