6 New Clubs for Marcus Rashford amid Transfer Rumors

"For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps."

Big words from Marcus Rashford in a recent interview with football writer Henry Winter. Curiously timed words, too, coming just days after he was left at home for Manchester United's huge win over Manchester City.

Although new Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim has stated United are better with Rashford involved, the Portuguese manager saw enough issues to drop him from the biggest away trip of the season so far.

The situation comes on the back of Rashford's prolonged spell of bad form. While rival clubs may be on alert, who would actually make sense for the 27-year-old?

Let's take a look at Rashford's potential options.

Rashford has often been linked with Paris Saint-Germain over the last few years. It perhaps made sense at one point; the French club were chucking money at big names in a bid to win the UEFA Champions League. But the Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé era has gone.

A different route is now being taken, led by younger talent such as Bradley Barcola, João Neves and Lee Kang-in. It feels like the time has passed for the Ligue 1 side to drop a huge transfer fee on a 27-year-old whose form faded last season and has just never threatened to come back other than the odd spark.

In many ways, both Rashford and PSG share some similarities. A lot has gone into their development and you'd probably expect more from both. Perhaps one day in the past they would have jumped at his availability without thinking.

There's no doubt Rashford has the quality to excel in Ligue 1, and it would certainly remove him from the pressure of constant scrutiny. God forbid the link-up with Ousmane Dembélé when both have an off-day, though.

One day, Mikel Arteta will sign a striker for his Arsenal side.

There will come a time when even he realises bluntness in front of goal cannot be counteracted by having 45 centre-backs on the pitch. But when that time comes, it shouldn't be Rashford holding up his new shirt at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta's team is built on energy and hard work. His wingers track back. They put in a shift and are technically excellent; able to dribble out of trouble and offer support at both ends of the pitch. Rashford's lack of work-rate has become a sticking point with many United fans, and he often relies on speed rather than control to beat a man. He'd frustrate in what is a well-drilled team.

That said, the thought of bringing Rashford on as a substitute for Gabriel Martinelli or Kai Havertz would likely excite some Arsenal fans. He's cutting at best, and he could offer value if Arteta was ever willing to compromise.

But I do ask this: Do the Gunners need the disruption Rashford could bring? He dropped a headline-grabbing interview with Winter right after United finally received some praise in a dismal season.

This Arsenal squad is built on resilient characters, and they shouldn't jeopardize that.

A bit like PSG, it feels like Rashford to Chelsea could have happened at some point, but not now. Enzo Maresca is working brilliantly with a squad full of wingers, including the United player's former colleague, Jadon Sancho.

Chelsea have a really nice balance. Sancho's tidiness on the ball allows control in possession, while both Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto are more inclined to explode and hit the byline for a cross. The combination allows Cole Palmer to drift at will, grabbing the ball where he sees fit to consistently make match-winning contributions.

There's an argument Rashford could be a nice alternative to Nicolas Jackson, but it really makes little sense when you consider Maresca can barely find a spot for Christopher Nkunku, who is far better suited to his needs.

Jackson's form has been excellent and when another striker is added, it should be someone in the Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyökeres build who can offer something different.

English players have started to move abroad with more regularity. Sancho's excellent spell in Dortmund opened the door, and Rashford may take heart from Harry Kane's historic adaptation to life in the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich are certainly no less pressured than United. Kane has done so well because he is a generational striker, someone whose goalscoring ability rarely falters. He's also someone who offers a lot more than just goals. He works hard to get to the ball and distribute, dropping deep to stamp his authority on matches.

Rashford is much more akin to a Leroy Sané or a Serge Gnabry, two players who Vincent Kompany has struggled to settle on this season. Michael Olise has shown what it takes to impress the manager with his gravitational pull to the ball and deadliness in front of goal.

While Rashford could add the latter if he finds his 2022-23 form, Bayern would have to spend too much to find out if he still has that in his locker.

We're approaching a time when Newcastle will likely come under pressure to keep Alexander Isak.

The Sweden international should be playing regular Champions League football for an elite side, which was very much the plan when he arrived. But the Magpies are languishing in 12th place in the Premier League, and their output isn't matching his personal performances that have accumulated seven goals and four assists in 14 appearances this season.

Isak, 25, will command a top fee when he leaves. A good chunk of that could be spent on Rashford, who won't come cheaply when considering both his transfer cost and reported weekly wage in excess of £300,000 per week.

Newcastle would be a great landing spot for the England international. The challenge of bringing his experience to a developing squad would instantly usher him into a leadership role. Eddie Howe plays solid, attacking football and the thought of Rashford working with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes is an exciting one.

Rashford is still a major name with an almighty reputation, the type of player Newcastle want to be linked in this stage of the Saudi ownership era.

The lingering thought of Rashford heading to the Saudi Pro League is always going to follow discussion of his exit.

At this stage of his career, doing so would be saying goodbye to his chances of representing England. Remember Jordan Henderson? Or Ivan Toney?

There will likely be some big-money offers on the table from the developing division. Only Rashford can make that choice.

Maybe Manchester United isn't such a bad place to stay after all...