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While Manchester United have struggled to cash in on their stars this summer, one interesting opportunity to sell has emerged; however, INEOS is facing a dilemma.
Currently, United are in a tricky spot regarding their goalkeeping department.
Andre Onana has suffered a hamstring injury and is expected to be out for the next six to eight weeks.
While this would have been a chance for Altay Bayındır to step up, his unconvincing performances last season, coupled with exit links, suggest he is not in Ruben Amorim’s plans.
United could opt for the transfer market to land an Onana alternative, but that may not be their only option.
Academy graduate Radek Vitek, who, last season, impressed on loan at Austrian side Blau-Weiß Linz, has been touted as a capable option between the sticks in Onana’s absence.
At BW Linz, Vitek was solid, keeping seven clean sheets and conceding just 38 goals in 27 games.
Vitek is up for a big summer
His loan performances did not go unnoticed, and with Onana sidelined, he is now likely to be given a proper chance in pre-season, one he could use to muscle his way into Amorim’s plans.
As he seeks to do that, Austrian Bundesliga champions Sturm Graz are keen to snap him up from Old Trafford, as per Laola1.
Closely watching him in the Austrian league, the report claims the 21-year-old Czech shot-stopper is a “favourite” in their goalkeeper search.
Like United, Sturm’s number one, Daniil Khudyakov, is out due to injury.
He is not expected back anytime soon, and the Blackies need a reliable replacement.
They believe Vitek could be that.
Uncertainty over Vitek’s availability
Even so, they are unsure about the transfer.
They know INEOS and United’s technical bench are yet to decide what to do with Vitek (especially in light of Onana’s injury).
Laola1 confirm: “The Blackies are now showing interest in Radek Vitek. The problem for Sturm: It is still unclear [what] Manchester United plan with Vitek.
“As long as those responsible at United have not yet decided whether Vitek should stay or go, it will probably be difficult to concretise the interest.”
With a desperate need for a goalkeeper, Sturm will be hoping United’s stance becomes clearer soon.
A championship side is also in the mix
Interestingly, it is not just the Austrian champions who are keen on the United keeper; Championship side Millwall have also been linked.
That said, come the 2025–26 season, it will be interesting to see where Vitek, who has a contract at Old Trafford running until 2027, ends up.
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