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By RYAN WALKER Published: 09: 00 AEDT, 20 December 2024 | Updated: 09: 00 AEDT, 20 December 2024 6 View comments The clock is ticking on Marcus Rashford's future at Manchester United after he publicly declared he wants to leave the club in a bombshell interview after being dropped by manager Ruben Amorim. At 27 years old, the winger who has been raised in United's academy and made his way into the first-team, is desperate to return to his best, while the 13-time Premier League champions are keen to offload their highest earner. A natural parting of ways is coming whether you believe Amorim's claim that he wants to keep the Manchester-born superstar or not and plenty of clubs are expected to compete for his signature. Whether United agree a sale in the upcoming January transfer window or wait until the summer remains to be seen, but Mail Sport understands a fee in the region of £40m will be enough to secure his departure. His reported preference is to leave the Premier League for Spain, but top La Liga options are expected to be limited and clubs closer to home may be better-suited to Rashford's current predicament. Mail Sport runs through the clubs likely to make a move for Rashford, rating their chances a transfer playing out, and who the expected frontrunner is for the wantaway Englishman. The clock is ticking on Marcus Rashford's future at Manchester United after he publicly declared he wants to leave the club United manager Ruben Amorim has left Rashford out of two consecutive matchday squads The Parisians have previously been admirers of Rashford and, prior to him penning a new five-year £375, 000-per-week contract at Old Trafford, he was linked with a move to the reigning Ligue 1 champions. Two years ago the club held talks with Rashford's representatives which piled the pressure on United to reach an agreement over extending their boyhood talent's stay and now there are suggestions the French side could return with a new offer. PSG's new state-of-the-art £200m training centre would appeal to Rashford, who is believed to prefer a move abroad, but Mail Sport understands the club are currently not interested in recruiting the winger. Gone are the days of the Qatari-backed club breaking the bank for high-profile stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and Lionel Messi, with PSG now focused on building a team for the future that isn't obsessed with superstar names. That approach means a move for Rashford in either January or at the end of the season is now unlikely and reports suggesting they would entertain a swap deal for Kolo Muani are wide of the mark. Rashford's preferred destination is Spain, and among the parties he would consider joining, there aren't many that come bigger than Barcelona. The Nou Camp has a track record of transforming players into superstars and Rashford's experience of playing for one of the world's biggest clubs in Man United means he has proven experience of coping under the spotlight. Rashford's preferred destination is Spain and, among the parties he would consider joining, there aren't many that come bigger than Barcelona Barcelona boss Hansi Flick could attempt to bring Rashford to Spain in the January window Hansi Flick has seemingly overhauled the Catalan club during his first season in charge, taking them to the top of the La Liga table, and has the team in a strong position to qualify automatically for the knockout stages of the Champions League, but it's hard to see where Rashford could fit in. Lamine Yamal is the golden boy at Barcelona, Raphinha is playing his career-best football on the left wing, and based on current form over the past two season it's unlikely Rashford would edge ahead of either. Additionally, Barcelona are still limited by financial pressures that have plagued the club in recent seasons, meaning Rashford would have to drastically reduce his salary to join the club. Arguably the most likely destination for Rashford is Arsenal with a move - on paper at least - appearing to work well for every involved party. Admittedly, United would be selling one of their best players of the past decade to a Premier League rival, but Rashford is no longer the same goal threat he was during his breakout years and there isn't the same level of concern from supporters. Mikel Arteta has a knack of taking underperforming players at other clubs and helping them rediscover their best form as the Gunners boss has done with Kai Havertz when he joined from Chelsea, and he could look to do the same with Rashford. Arsenal are also in need of a left winger with Gabriel Martinelli struggling to match the goalscoring form that Bukayo Saka offers the title challengers on the opposite flank and Rashford is well-suited. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a knack of taking underperforming players at other clubs and helping them rediscover their best form Arsenal are also in need of a left winger with Gabriel Martinelli struggling to match the goalscoring form of Bukayo Saka It would be a bizarre move but stranger things have happened and Tottenham love a bargain. Rashford being available for £40m will peak Daniel Levy's interest and the club could offer the United star a platform to rediscover his best form. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou likes attackers with Rashford's qualities of pace, directness when running at defenders and he has an eye for goal. But, while the Australian is well-liked by his squad, he is also direct with his players at times and pulls no punches in publicly criticising their performances if he deems them not up to scratch. Rashford has already demonstrated that he doesn't do well with punishment, as was the case by him deciding to state his intentions to leave just days after being dropped for the Manchester derby by United boss Amorim, and will find himself in the firing line at Tottenham if he drops below the required standard. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou likes attackers with Rashford's qualities of pace, directness when running at defenders and has an eye for goal An already overstuffed squad could be boosted by the addition of Rashford and notably manager Enzo Maresca is already showing he can get the best out of players who other clubs have deemed to have an attitude problem. Jadon Sancho is rediscovering his best form after a dismal spell at United that saw him exiled by Erik ten Hag, while Joao Felix is another superstar who was previously deemed problematic in Spain but looks happy in England. Rashford needs a club and manager that can rebuild his confidence in a setting that matches the lifestyle he wants to live with Stamford Bridge an ideal destination. However, Maresca might not want to risk unbalancing his squad with another high-profile name and bringing him to the club could cause a rift with other players given that Rashford will want to be a starting figure. But co-owner Todd Boehly will see the marketability in bringing Rashford to the club and seeing the England star walk out in Blue is not beyond imagination. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is already showing he can get the best out of players who other clubs have deemed to have an attitude problem Rashford could be re-united with ex-team-mate Jadon Sancho (right) if he joins Chelsea As much as Rashford has declared his interest in wanting to leave United, the 27-year-old has also stated he will never say a bad word about the club he holds so dear in his heart. Therefore joining the Red Devils' cross-city derby rivals in Man City would be a massive surprise, even if working under Pep Guardiola would be a sure-fire way to get back to his best. Rashford has been loyal to United since he joined the club's academy as a child and has scored six goals in 22 appearances against the reigning English champions. City have the funds to sign Rashford in January and are in desperate need of a new left winger with both Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku struggling, but any interest would likely be quickly rebuffed by United. Working under Pep Guardiola would likely be a sure-fire way for Rashford to get back to his best Rashford has admitted he wants a 'new challenge' and while Saudi Arabia doesn't provide much of a challenge at all, it does guarantee a massive payday that will top any offer from a European club. The Saudi Pro League's footballing revolution is focused on recruiting big names from the Premier League as they have done with Cristiano Ronaldo, Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez, Fabinho, and others, so could Rashford be next? If he wants to become one of the world's biggest-paid athletes then a move to the Middle East is perfect, with plenty of clubs in the Kingdom more than willing to fund a deal. But, if Rashford is serious about delivering on the potential that has seen him spend over two decades at Old Trafford, then staying in European football is crucial. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group