Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara has publicly urged the North London club to move for Manchester United’s marquee striker Marcus Rashford. In a recent appearance on Sky Sports’ Tottenham summer special podcast, O'Hara argued that the newly‑appointed Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi would be the perfect "man‑manager" to get the best out of Rashford, whose future at Old Trafford remains anything but certain. O'Hara’s comments come at a time when Tottenham are actively scouting for a left‑sided attacker. Sky Sports News reports that the club’s recruitment hierarchy has identified a new left‑winger or forward as a priority, especially after showing interest in Manchester City’s young prospect Savinho and Liverpool’s versatile forward Cody Gakpo.
While the Spurs have already splashed a record £100 million on Sandro Tonali and spent a total of £237 million on six new signings this summer, the forward line still looks thin as the transfer window edges toward its September 1 deadline. During the podcast, O'Hara praised both Savinho and Gakpo, noting that the former has shown flashes of brilliance despite limited opportunities at City, and that Gakpo, while perhaps needing several chances to find the net, possesses a unique skill set that could benefit any team.
However, he expressed puzzlement over why Tottenham have not yet targeted Rashford. "I just don’t understand why we aren’t going after Marcus Rashford. The question should be: how much do we want him and how much can we afford?" O'Hara said.
He acknowledged the financial hurdle – Rashford is reportedly on a £350,000‑a‑week contract at United – but argued that the player’s quality justifies the expense. "If we can sign him for less than his current wages, perhaps with a point to prove, he would still be one of the best players in the league," O'Hara added. He also noted that Rashford recently returned to the Manchester United squad after a season-long loan at Barcelona, where the Spaniards declined to make the deal permanent despite Rashford scoring 14 goals and delivering 14 assists in 47 appearances as they clinched La Liga.
O'Hara believes Rashford would fit the "bomba" signing that De Zerbi hinted at last month. The Italian manager has indicated a desire to bring in at least one high‑profile wide attacker before the window closes. "De Zerbi is the perfect man‑manager for someone like Rashford," O'Hara asserted. "He knows how to maximise a player’s strengths and could unlock a new dimension in our attack." The former Spurs midfielder also highlighted the club’s need for a quality left‑footed option.
While Mathys Tel shows promise, O'Hara doubts he can be the immediate solution. "We need a top‑drawer player who can elevate us to the next level and push the whole squad forward," he said.
He emphasized that if the club’s finances allow, and De Zerbi is signalling a big signing, the board should act decisively. Beyond the Rashford discussion, O'Hara touched on another potential departure: right‑back Djed Spence. The 26‑year‑old England international is reportedly close to a move to Inter Milan, a deal that could reach £30 million.
O'Hara expressed disappointment at the prospect of losing Spence, noting his versatility across the back four and his athleticism. "He can play left‑back, right‑back, and even on the wing.
He’s strong, good on the ball, and a valuable squad player," O'Hara said. He warned that Spence’s exit would leave Pedro Porro as the only recognised right‑back, a risky situation given the unpredictable fitness of other options like Destiny Udogie.
If Spence does leave, O'Hara suggested Spurs should target a younger right‑back with development potential rather than a short‑term fix. He praised Porro for his reliability and World Cup experience, suggesting he could serve as a mentor for any incoming talent. "We need someone who can step in if Porro gets injured, but we also want to protect a youngster like Archie Gray, who is being groomed as a midfielder," O'Hara explained.
Sky Sports News’ Michael Bridge and senior editor Lyall Thomas echoed many of O'Hara’s points on the podcast. Bridge expressed confidence that Tottenham know what they need and that De Zerbi’s hands‑on approach will see the club secure the necessary forwards. Thomas added that if Spence departs, the club should consider a youthful right‑back as a long‑term project, with Porro’s experience providing a solid foundation. In summary, O'Hara’s takeaways are clear: Tottenham must act swiftly to strengthen both flanks.
On the left, a player of Rashford’s calibre would not only solve a tactical deficiency but also signal the club’s ambition under De Zerbi. On the right, retaining or adequately replacing Spence is essential to maintain depth and flexibility. With less than three weeks remaining in the summer transfer window, the pressure is mounting on the Spurs hierarchy to deliver. Listeners can hear the full conversation on the Tottenham summer special podcast, available both as an audio stream and on YouTube, for a deeper dive into the club’s transfer strategy, potential captaincy discussions, and expectations for the upcoming Premier League season.