Marcus Rashford is available for transfer after the Manchester United star admitted that he is ready to take up a new challenge.
The 27-year-old was dropped for Sunday’s Manchester derby victory and then sent home from training with an illness on Monday.
On Tuesday though he handed out presents at his old primary school and dropped the bombshell revelation in an interview with Henry Winter.
Rashford said: “For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.
“When I leave it’s going to be “no hard feelings”. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.
Marcus Rashford had a day off today so he returned to his old primary school, Button Lane, south Manchester, and handed out 420 Christmas presents to all the pupils. It was a long-planned event, eliciting delight from the children. One boy scarcely more than four years old, had a…
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) December 17, 2024
“If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have left in the past and I don’t want to be that person. When I leave I’ll make a statement and it will be from me.”
Rashford has been with the club for two decades and has scored 143 senior goals for the club. His interview comes after reports that the Red Devils would be willing to sell the England international.
With Rashford appearing to be available for transfer, SportsCasting take a look at the clubs that might be prepared to take a chance on him.
Marcus Rashford: Five Clubs Who Could Sign Him
Paris Saint-Germain
The French giants have been linked with the transfer of Marcus Rashford for a number of seasons.
They are admirers of the England international who has scored three goals and provided one assist in four appearances against them.
Before Rashford signed a new deal at the end of the 2022-23 season, PSG club president Nasser al-Khelaifi admitted his interest in December of that campaign.
“He’s another player that is really amazing. And for free? To have Rashford for free, every club would run after him, definitely.
“We’re not hiding it, we spoke before and [there was] interest, but the moment was not a good moment for both sides. Maybe, summer, why not?”
PSG have shifted away their focus to a more youthful approach since Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar all left the club.
However, their poor performance in the Champions League this term shows that adding some experience could be valuable.
Arsenal
While Arsenal are sorted on the right-flank with Bukayo Saka, there are questions over the left wing.
Gabriel Martinelli has struggled with form and fitness issues, while Leandro Trossard is set to enter the final 18 months of his contract.
Arsenal have form for signing players from their rivals. Mikel Arteta helped Kai Havertz find his best form after signing the German international from Chelsea.
Arteta might fancy his chances of repeating the trick with Rashford. It could be a gamble worth taking seeing that Rashford at his best has shown he can score 30 goals in a season.
Rashford though would face competition to make the starting XI against Martinelli and Trossard should Arsenal make the transfer. It remains to be seen whether United would be willing to sell him to a direct rival.
Bayern Munich
The German giants could be in the market for a left-sided attacker next summer as Leroy Sane is in the final year of his deal.
Thomas Muller is also in the final year of his deal so Bayern could lose a lot of experience in forward positions next summer.
Bayern Munich were linked with Rashford, as per the Sun, earlier in the season.
A move to Bayern Munich would see him link up with Harry Kane. The former Tottenham striker has benefitted from the move with 64 goals in as many games.
Linking up with his England team-mate and the prospect of fighting for the top trophies in Germany and Europe could make a transfer to Bayern Munich a tempting one for Rashford.
Tottenham
There aren’t many obvious choices in the Premier League in terms of where Marcus Rashford could sign on a transfer.
Tottenham though could be an option and they would give Rashford the chance to play every week.
Spurs might need to look for a replacement for captain Son Heung-min whose contract expires at the end of the season. However, the club are likely to activate a one-year extension soon.
Tottenham also have a decision to make on Timo Werner who is currently on loan at the club.
Should Tottenham need to replace Son, then Rashford would be a sensible replacement. Though questions will arise over whether Postecoglou could get the best out of the 27-year-old.
Saudi Pro League club
Maybe not the most exciting move in terms of footballing ambition, but a transfer to the Saudi Pro League would certainly be a good financial one for Marcus Rashford.
Clubs including Al-Ittihad – managed by ex-United defender Laurent Blanc – have been put on alert by Rashford’s comments according to talkSPORT.
Al-Ittihad are also linked with Liverpool star Mohamed Salah who is out of contract in the summer. Salah would undoubtedly be the priority if he decides to leave Liverpool though Rashford would also be a tempting proposition.
Al-Hilal could view Rashford as a replacement for Neymar who has barely played for the club since his arrival.
You could also add a number of other Saudi Pro League sides to this list.
Rashford may not want to leave Europe at this stage of his career. However, a lot of big-name players have been seduced by the Saudi riches.
