‘No chance’ of Baleba/Wharton in Jan – but United could move for ‘surprise name’ in form of £31m Bundesliga star

Manchester United are unlikely to pursue the midfield targets fans are calling out for in January, but they might just take a look at Jobe Bellingham’s uncertain situation at Borussia Dortmund.

From the Old Trafford faithful’s perspective, signing one of Adam Wharton or Carlos Baleba would be something of a dream winter window, with INEOS believed to be firm admirers of both players.

However, their respective clubs, Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion, have closed the door entirely on mid-season sales – as you’d expect.

Whilst it’s not set in stone that United will move for a midfielder, especially in a permanent deal, in two months’ time, there is one option looking more tempting for the board .

(Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Bellingham only signed for Dortmund back in June in a deal worth £27.8 million upfront and £4.2 million in add-ons, making it a pretty lucrative deal for Sunderland, who were then able to reinvest the funds ahead of their return to the top flight.

The 20-year-old had opted to follow in his brother Jude’s footsteps by joining the German outfit, putting pen to paper on a five-year deal.

Yet, it’s safe to say things haven’t gone to plan in 2025/2026.

Bellingham has not started a Bundesliga game since August , whilst he also hasn’t been granted a cameo over the 25-minute mark in the subsequent four matches since his last start.

There are tensions between his family and club chiefs following his father’s antics on matchday one; Mark Bellingham took to the players’ dressing room to challenge Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl over why his son had been withdrawn at half-time against St. Pauli.

Such antics evidently left a sour taste for head coach Niko Kovac, given he’s now utilising the player sparingly.

Whether it may lead to a premature departure remains to be seen. If so, United will be waiting in the wings to potentially hold talks.

(Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

“He might be a surprise name available in some capacity in the January window, journalist Ben Jacobs said of Bellingham, via The United Stand.

“Your Whartons, your [Angelo] Stillers, Baleba, no chance as far as I’m aware that we’re going to get any January movement.”