Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara has openly advocated for a bold move in the North London club’s transfer strategy: signing Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford. In a recent appearance on Sky Sports’ Tottenham Summer Special podcast, O'Hara argued that the current Spurs manager, Roberto De Zerbi, would be the perfect "man‑manager" to unlock Rashford’s full potential, especially as the United forward’s future remains uncertain. O'Hara’s comments came at a time when Tottenham are reportedly prioritising a left‑sided attacker. The club has already been linked with Manchester City’s young talent Savinho and Liverpool’s prolific forward Cody Gakpo, but O'Hara believes Rashford should be at the top of the list.
He questioned the logic behind overlooking a player of Rashford’s calibre, saying, "Why aren’t we going after Marcus? How much would he cost? What can we get for him?" He acknowledged the financial reality – Rashford is believed to be on a £350,000‑a‑week wage – but suggested that if Spurs could acquire him for a reduced fee, perhaps with a point to prove, the deal would be worthwhile.
"He’s still one of the best players around," O'Hara said, adding that even if Rashford stays at United, his talent warrants serious consideration from Tottenham. Rashford returned to the Manchester United squad after spending the previous season on loan at Barcelona. While the Catalan giants opted not to make the move permanent, Rashford impressed with 14 goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances, helping Barcelona clinch the LaLiga title.
O'Hara believes the 28‑year‑old would fit perfectly into the “bomba” signing that De Zerbi hinted at last month – a high‑profile wide attacker to bolster the Spurs attack in the final weeks of the summer window. According to O'Hara, De Zerbi’s managerial style is ideally suited to Rashford.
"De Zerbi is the perfect man‑manager for someone like Rashford," he said. "He knows how to get the best out of a player with that kind of skill set." O'Hara also noted that the left side of Tottenham’s defence remains a concern. While Mathys Tel shows promise, he is not yet the solution for a side that needs a top‑drawer forward to elevate its game. Spurs have already invested heavily this summer, spending £237 million on six new signings, including a club‑record £100 million fee for Sandro Tonali.
Yet, despite that spending spree, the forward line still feels thin, and the window is set to close in just under three weeks. Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge praised De Zerbi’s hands‑on approach, saying the manager has the “keys” to unlock further attacking talent.
The conversation also touched on other squad issues, notably the potential departure of England teammate Djed Spence. The 26‑year‑old defender is close to a move to Inter Milan, a deal that could net Tottenham up to £30 million. O'Hara expressed disappointment at the prospect of losing Spence, emphasizing his versatility – capable of playing left‑back, right‑back, and on the wing – and his athleticism.
He warned that without Spence, the club would be left with limited options at right‑back, especially if Pedro Porro or Andy Robertson suffered injuries. If Spence does leave, O'Hara suggested Tottenham should target a younger right‑back with development potential, rather than a direct replacement. Lyall Thomas, Sky Sports’ senior football editor, echoed this sentiment, highlighting Porro’s reliability and the mentorship role he could play for a younger player.
In summary, O'Hara’s takeaways for Spurs fans are clear: the club should not shy away from a marquee signing like Rashford, especially under De Zerbi’s guidance, and must address the left‑side and right‑back positions before the transfer deadline. He believes that if the financials align – perhaps a reduced fee and a contract that reflects Rashford’s desire to prove himself – the deal could propel Tottenham to a higher competitive level. For listeners who want the full discussion, the Tottenham Summer Special podcast is available both as an audio stream and on YouTube, featuring insights from O'Hara, Michael Bridge, and Lyall Thomas on the club’s transfer ambitions, captaincy debates, and expectations for the upcoming season.