Radek Vitek to Celtic: Scottish champions eye Man Utd star
Radek Vitek to Celtic: Scottish giants Celtic have entered the race to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek this summer, according to sources cited by Football Insider, with the 22-year-old widely expected to leave Old Trafford permanently.
United’s goalkeeping picture has become increasingly congested. Senne Lammens has nailed down the number one spot, and Karl Darlow is arriving on a free transfer as cover, leaving absolutely no pathway to first-team football for Vitek at his parent club. He wants games. He’s earned that right.
What the numbers say
The 2025/26 Championship season turned Vitek from a promising prospect into one of the most sought-after young goalkeepers in British football. He made 41 appearances for Bristol City, clocking 3,690 minutes, and kept 12 clean sheets across the campaign.
He faced 186 shots, conceded 54 goals, and posted a save percentage of 72.0 per cent. Impressive figures for a 22-year-old playing his first full season at Championship level. Bristol’s fans recognised it immediately, and the club handed him a hat-trick of end-of-season awards: Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, and Young Player of the Year.
Czech goalkeeping legend Petr Cech, who collected four Premier League Golden Gloves and kept 202 top-flight clean sheets during his storied career, has spoken warmly about Vitek’s development. Cech noted how the youngster stepped up from United’s under-21s to senior football in Austria, and then returned to England with Bristol City and performed well there. That kind of endorsement doesn’t go unnoticed at a club like Celtic.
Celtic aren’t alone in this. Bristol City are desperately keen for Vitek to return, Premier League newcomers Hull City have shown interest, and even Rangers have been credited with a look at the Czech keeper. Martin O’Neill has publicly confirmed that Celtic need a new goalkeeper following Kasper Schmeichel’s retirement, and Viljami Sinisalo, who ended last season as first choice, may not be considered a long-term solution.
Read: Man Utd closing in on transfer move for £38m Premier League midfielder
Vitek’s contract at Old Trafford runs until June 2028, and his forensic transfer value sits at approximately £3.9 million, with a forced sale valuation closer to £3.1 million and a premium price of £4.9 million. United hold all the cards here; they can sell, loan, or simply hold firm.
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