Manchester United may be prepared to offer Jobe Bellingham an exit route away from his Borussia Dortmund woes in the January window.
After conceding that a midfield signing wasn’t feasible in the final weeks of the summer, United put their pursuit of players on the back burner in anticipation of returning at a later date.
There are now hopes from the Old Trafford faithful that INEOS will look to facilitate a mid-season addition, having done so last season when signing Patrick Dorgu from Lecce for £25 million in the winter.
Who might United try to sign in January?
Among the names on their shortlist are the likes of Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba, both of whom have become two of the most coveted young stars in their position across Europe.
However, the duo’s stellar performances have made their clubs, Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion, unwilling to sell – especially midway through a campaign.
That’s why United have begun turning their attention to Bellingham. TalkSPORT claims that while a deal in three months’ time is considered ‘difficult’, the Dortmund star is a ‘potential option’ to add to Ruben Amorim’s ranks.
EXCL: Sought-after Antoine Semenyo new contract includes release clause. #AFCB hierarchy expect interest if he maintains current form but were shrewd enough to release clause was the best way of committing his future. https://t.co/VqRnfElZNG
— Alex Crook ⚽️🎙 (@alex_crook) October 14, 2025
United could capitalise on Bellingham’s turbulent situation in Germany, too.
Bellingham’s Dortmund tenure gets off to a problematic start
The 20-year-old has not started a Bundesliga game since August, while his lengthiest cameo since then has been just 25 minutes off the bench against Heidenheim.
When making his league debut on the opening day away to St. Pauli, he was withdrawn at half-time by Niko Kovac and replaced by Felix Nmecha.
Then, when the game ended 3-3 and the players retreated to their respective changing rooms, Bellingham’s father made his way down from the stands to confront Sebastian Kehl, demanding answers as to why his son had been substituted from the action so early.
The incident led to Dortmund reminding players that the dressing rooms were for the squad and club representatives only – no parents.
Despite his young age, Bellingham will have grown accustomed to playing a starting role each week due to him cementing his spot at Sunderland; of the 40 Championship games he was in the matchday squad last campaign, he was given the nod in 39 of them, so it’s no surprise he’s struggling to adjust to such a transition at the Signal Iduna Park.
