Jude Bellingham advised his younger brother at Dortmund not to join Manchester United.

Jude Bellingham intervened at the right time. According to Spanish newspaper Defensa, the Real Madrid star advised his younger brother Jobe Bellingham to patiently stay at Borussia Dortmund at least until the end of the season, instead of getting caught up in rumors of a move to Manchester United in January 2026.

Key takeaway: Advice amidst Manchester United transfer rumors for January 2026

According to Defensa, Manchester United are interested in Jobe Bellingham, and rumors suggest that manager Ruben Amorim wants to bring the 20-year-old midfielder to Old Trafford in the 2026 winter transfer window. The source even mentions the possibility that Kobbie Mainoo is not in the Portuguese manager's plans and Jobe is a potential replacement. The same source also claims that Real Madrid are monitoring both Jobe and Mainoo.

In that context, Jude – who understands the Dortmund environment – ​​advised his younger brother not to leave Signal Iduna Park at this time, so that he could focus on improving his form and avoid being distracted by transfer speculation.

Jobe Bellingham's form at Dortmund

Jobe joined Dortmund last summer for €37 million (including €5 million in add-ons), after a season that helped Sunderland gain promotion to the Premier League and won the 2024/25 Championship Young Player of the Year award.

However, his start in the Bundesliga hasn't been smooth: according to sources, Jobe hasn't been trusted by coach Niko Kovac, mostly sitting on the bench; since the beginning of the season, he's only started four times and has often been substituted early. This is a step backward compared to his progress in England, creating considerable psychological pressure for the 20-year-old player.

Off-field issues complicate the situation further.

Defensa revealed that Jobe's father had publicly argued with coach Niko Kovac about his son's playing time. As a result, Jobe's parents were banned from the Dortmund dressing room. These conflicts further heightened the uncertainty surrounding Jobe's immediate future, making him vulnerable to rumors.

Perspective: Why staying at Dortmund right now is the right decision.

Jude's advice emphasizes two points: stability and long-term development. Staying until the end of the season gives Jobe time to rebuild his confidence, compete for a starting spot, and reverse the professional assessment within the environment that has invested heavily in him. It also minimizes the risks of a mid-season transfer – which requires immediate adaptation.

For Manchester United, if the information suggesting interest is accurate, Jobe's temporary "closure" on the 2026 winter transfer window means they will have to wait or rearrange their midfield personnel plans. For Real Madrid, closely monitoring Jobe's recovery at this time allows them to observe his progress before making any further moves.

Transfer developments: milestones and potential consequences

• Winter 2026: The time when speculation emerges that MU wants to complete the Jobe Bellingham deal (according to Defensa).
• Short-term: Staying will allow Jobe to focus on securing a starting spot and improving his form in the second half of the season.
• Long term: The immediate decision at Dortmund could raise or lower Jobe's transfer value in the following summer.

Notable figures

In short, amidst Jobe Bellingham facing both professional pressure and off-field conflicts, Jude Bellingham's advice to "stay until the end of the season" is a message toward stability. Speculation surrounding Manchester United, Ruben Amorim, or Real Madrid's interest will only be meaningful if Jobe can turn his form around at Dortmund.