Radek Vitek is closing in on a permanent move to Middlesbrough after telling Manchester United he wants regular first-team football. The move would end a six-year spell at Old Trafford, and Vitek has been clear about the target: he wants to play every week next season and be number one somewhere.

Vitek's case for leaving United

Vitek said on talkSPORT: "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."

He also added: "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."

That is the part that drives the move. United can point to their stronger level as a club, but Vitek is not looking for depth-role comfort. He is looking for minutes, and a permanent switch to Middlesbrough fits that.

Middlesbrough's appeal

Middlesbrough have lost four of their last five competitive matches, so there is a clear opening for a goalkeeper who can settle things quickly. Vitek also has Championship evidence behind him. He kept 12 clean sheets in England's second tier last term, the fifth most in the division, during his loan spell at Bristol City.

A move to Middlesbrough would give them a keeper who has already handled that level, rather than a development project waiting for time. It would also give Vitek the chance to become a first-choice goalkeeper straight away, which is plainly what he wants.

There is still one small wrinkle: reports suggest the deal is close, but there has been no official club announcement yet. That leaves the story at advanced stage rather than done, even if the direction is obvious.

United's summer has already included a permanent exit for Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli, and Vitek would be another sale as the club trims the goalkeeping depth chart around Senne Lammens and Karl Darlow. For Vitek, though, the key point is simpler. He wants to be number one, and Middlesbrough look ready to give him that chance.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →