Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara has taken to Sky Sports’ Tottenham summer special podcast to argue that the North London club should make a move for Manchester United’s star forward Marcus Rashford. O'Hara contends that the current Spurs manager, Roberto De Zerbi, would be the perfect "man‑manager" to get the best out of Rashford, whose future at United remains uncertain after a loan spell at Barcelona. According to Sky Sports News, Tottenham are actively seeking a new left‑sided attacker. The club has already been linked with Manchester City’s young prospect Savinho and Liverpool’s versatile forward Cody Gakpo, but O'Hara believes Rashford should sit at the top of their priority list.
He says, "I just don’t know why we don’t go for Marcus Rashford. I really think Spurs should just ask: how much do you want? How much can we get him for?" O'Hara acknowledges the financial challenge – Rashford earns roughly £350,000 a week – but he argues that the player’s quality justifies the expense. "If you get him at a price that reflects a point to prove, he’s still one of the best players around," O'Hara says.
He adds that even if Rashford stays at United, his talent would still make him a valuable target for any club looking to raise its attacking ceiling. Rashford’s recent season was spent on loan at Barcelona, where he contributed 14 goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances, helping the Catalan side clinch the LaLiga title.
Despite that success, Barcelona decided not to exercise the purchase option, leaving Rashford back at United and available on the market. O'Hara believes the 28‑year‑old would fit perfectly into the "bomba" signing De Zerbi hinted at last month – a high‑profile wide player to strengthen Spurs before the transfer window shuts. "I think De Zerbi is the perfect man‑manager for someone like Rashford," O'Hara explains.
"He’s a manager who will get the best out of him. The left side is something we still need to address. Mathys Tel is a decent youngster, but he isn’t the answer.
We need a top‑drawer player who can take us to another level and push us forward." Spurs have already splashed out £237 million on six new signings this summer, including the club‑record £100 million acquisition of Sandro Tonali. Yet, with just under three weeks left in the transfer window, concerns linger that the forward line has not yet received the reinforcement it needs.
Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge praised De Zerbi’s hands‑on approach, noting that the manager has been given the keys to the recruitment process and is expected to open the door on further attacking talent. While the Rashford discussion dominates the conversation, O'Hara also touched on the potential departure of England teammate Djed Spence. The 26‑year‑old defender is reportedly close to a move to Inter Milan, a deal that could reach £30 million.
O'Hara warned that losing Spence would leave Pedro Porro as Tottenham’s sole recognized right‑back and urged the club to consider a younger, development‑focused option if Spence does leave. He said, "I’d actually be disappointed to let him go.
He can play in multiple positions – left‑back, right‑back and on the wing. He’s athletic, strong and decent on the ball.
If Porro gets injured, who steps in? It can’t be Archie Gray, who is being groomed as a midfielder. So if you’re going to get rid of Spence, you have to bring someone else in." Lyall Thomas, Sky Sports News senior football editor, echoed the sentiment, suggesting that a younger right‑back could be a worthwhile investment if Spence departs, while also highlighting Porro’s reliability and his experience as a World Cup winner, which could be valuable for mentoring younger defenders.
In summary, O'Hara’s main points are clear: Tottenham need a proven left‑winger, and Marcus Rashford fits the bill both in terms of ability and the type of player De Zerbi wants to nurture. The financial hurdle is real, but O'Hara believes the club can negotiate a deal that reflects Rashford’s desire to prove himself. At the same time, the club must address its right‑back options, especially if Djed Spence’s Inter Milan move materialises.
Fans can listen to the full podcast on Sky Sports or watch the discussion on YouTube for a deeper dive into the Spurs’ summer strategy and the potential impact of these transfer targets.