Man United's next transfer looks clearer as interest intensifies amid major admission

Manchester United are closing in on another transfer this summer as they prepare to welcome back some of their World Cup stars

Michael Carrick chose not to labour the point when asked about his goalkeeper Radek Vitek on Friday evening. "Radek got good minutes, just over 70, so really pleased with what he did today," the Manchester United head coach responded, to a question about the 22-year-old's display against Rosenborg.

Not every player would get such a warm response from their manager, one week after issuing a 'come and get me' plea to reporters. However, Carrick and United have sympathy for Vitek's situation. Last season, the Czech goalkeeper gained his first taste of Championship football at Bristol City. He made 41 appearances for the Robins and looked well suited to that level.

At the end of the season, Vitek returned to United. It soon became clear his future was not in Manchester. Senne Lammens has cemented himself as the Reds' first choice and after the experience at Ashton Gate, there is little for Vitek to gain from being United's back-up, even if Karl Darlow had not signed. That's why United will have had no qualms with Vitek expressing his feelings in Finland last weekend.

"I feel great and ready to go again somewhere to be, hopefully, number one, so we will see. We will see what is going to happen," he explained after the defeat to Wrexham.

"At the moment, I am still here, but we will see. I hope so. I hope there will be some interest. I think you will know when things are more concrete." This admission was meant to drum up interest and it has clearly got at least one club moving this summer.

This weekend, Carrick's former team Middlesbrough opened talks with United for Vitek. Our colleagues at Teesside Live understand that negotiations are in their infancy and several clubs are interested in the United man.

But Boro would be keen on signing Vitek permanently - something the goalkeeper would also be open to, along with another loan. Were he to leave permanently this summer, Vitek's departure would be a positive for all involved.

Not every player who comes through the United academy will become a starter for the Reds. Plenty of players go on to have successful careers in the EFL and abroad, and that deserves to be celebrated, particularly if it banks United money.

The Reds will secure 'pure profit' from selling Vitek this summer. That cannot be underestimated considering how important it is when looking to operate within the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. In October, Sir Jim Ratcliffe made the mistake of claiming the academy had 'really slipped' at United. "You need the academy to be producing talent all the time. It helps you financially," he said.

Vitek is an example of the academy providing the club with easy money. Vitek's departure would not be seen as a missed opportunity either. Lammens is clearly United's first choice goalkeeper for the foreseeable future and if the 22-year-old was not going to breakthrough now, he never would.

His exit makes sense for all parties. And it seems that outcome is edging ever closer.

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