📅 August 6, 2026

United Set to Confirm Bayindir Exit to Celta Vigo and Vitek Sale to Middlesbrough

By Mav Jones · Manchester United fan writer

Bayindir heading to Spain on loan

Altay Bayindir’s Old Trafford career looks to be winding down for good. Fabrizio Romano gave the move his “here we go” on Tuesday, confirming United have agreed a season-long loan with Celta Vigo that includes a buy option worth close to €4m. Celta will cover Bayindir’s wages in full for the campaign, along with any performance bonuses, and United have added a sell-on clause in case he moves on again down the line. The Turkey international has been cleared to travel for his medical and get the paperwork done.

It’s a fair result for both sides. Bayindir arrived from Fenerbahce with plenty of promise but started only six games last season before Senne Lammens took over the gloves, and he hasn’t featured since September. With Karl Darlow signed on a free this summer as the new backup, there was never going to be a route back for him at United.

Vitek set for a permanent move to Middlesbrough

The bigger surprise is Radek Vitek following him out the door. The 22 year old Czech, a United academy product, is finalising a permanent switch to Middlesbrough worth up to £14m, with the fee reportedly structured as around £7m guaranteed plus add-ons. United have kept a 35% sell-on clause, matching rights and a buy-back option, which tells you the club still rate him even while letting him go.

Vitek earned this move. His loan spell at Bristol City last season was outstanding: 12 clean sheets in 41 appearances, and he swept the club’s end of season awards, winning Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year. He’ll head to the Riverside to compete with Sol Brynn for the number one jersey rather than walk straight into the side, but a player in that kind of form deserved first team football somewhere, and it was never going to be at Old Trafford behind Lammens and Darlow.

Why United are moving both on

Michael Carrick has Lammens as his settled number one and Darlow as steady, experienced cover, so there was no room for two more senior keepers taking up squad space and wages. Andre Onana is already out on loan at Trabzonspor. Once Bayindir and Vitek get through their medicals, our goalkeeping department will look leaner and considerably younger at the top, with Lammens firmly established as the man Carrick is building around heading into a season that includes Champions League football.

Neither deal is signed and sealed just yet, but with Romano’s “here we go” attached to Bayindir and Middlesbrough already working through Vitek’s medical, both should be confirmed within days.

The full picture: Manchester United transfers 2026: every signing, exit and target

Source: TeamTalk — Every completed Man Utd transfer of summer 2026