Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara has publicly urged the North London club to make a 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 current Spurs manager, Roberto De Zerbi, would be the perfect "man‑manager" to unlock Rashford’s potential, especially as the United forward’s future remains uncertain.
According to Sky Sports News, acquiring a left‑sided attacker is a top priority for Tottenham this window. The club has already been linked with Manchester City’s young winger Savinho and Liverpool’s prolific forward Cody Gakpo, but O'Hara believes Rashford should be at the top of the list.
He said, "I just don’t understand why we aren’t chasing Marcus Rashford. We need to ask ourselves how much we’re willing to spend and what we can realistically get for him." O'Hara acknowledged the financial reality – Rashford is reportedly on a £350,000‑a‑week contract – but suggested that a player of his calibre could be signed for less if he is motivated to prove himself. "If you can get him for a price that leaves us room to manoeuvre, he’s still one of the best players in the game," O'Hara said. "Even if he stays at United, he will still be a top‑class talent, so it’s puzzling we haven’t shown more interest." Rashford returned to United’s squad after a season‑long loan at Barcelona, where he contributed 14 goals and 14 assists in 47 matches, helping the Catalan side clinch the LaLiga title.
Despite his impressive output, Barcelona chose not to make the deal permanent, leaving Rashford available for a potential move back to England. O'Hara feels the 28‑year‑old would fit perfectly into the "bomba" signing that De Zerbi hinted at last month. The Italian coach has signalled his intention to bring in at least one wide attacker before the transfer deadline closes.
"De Zerbi is the ideal man‑manager for Rashford," O'Hara asserted. "He knows how to get the best out of a player with Rashford’s skill set." He also noted that Tottenham’s left‑back options are limited. While Mathys Tel shows promise, O'Hara does not view him as the solution for the senior squad.
"We need a proven, top‑drawer player who can elevate the team and push us to the next level," he said. "If the finances are there – and they appear to be – and De Zerbi is already talking about another big signing, then we should act." Tottenham have already splashed out £237 million on six new arrivals this summer, highlighted by the club‑record £100 million fee for Sandro Tonali. Yet the forward line still feels thin, and with just under three weeks remaining until the window shuts on September 1, the pressure is mounting.
Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge praised the club’s recruitment so far, especially the midfield signings, and expressed confidence that De Zerbi will deliver on his promises for the attack. "He’s been very hands‑on, and the board has given him the keys to the shop. Now we just have to see if he can open the door for a player of Rashford’s quality," Bridge said.
The podcast also touched on the possible 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 warned that losing Spence would leave Pedro Porro as the sole recognised right‑back, raising concerns about squad depth. "I’d be disappointed to see him go," O'Hara admitted. "He can play across the back line and on the wing, and his athleticism is valuable. If Porro gets injured, we need a reliable backup, not a teenager like Archie Gray who is being groomed for midfield." Should Spence depart, Sky Sports’ senior editor Lyall Thomas suggested Spurs should target a younger, developmental right‑back.
He highlighted Porro’s durability and World Cup experience, noting that a younger signing could learn from him while providing competition. In summary, O'Hara’s message to the Tottenham hierarchy is clear: pursue Rashford aggressively, leverage De Zerbi’s managerial style, and shore up the left‑side options while ensuring right‑back depth if Spence leaves. The club’s recent spending demonstrates ambition, but the final weeks of the transfer window will be decisive in shaping the squad for the upcoming Premier League campaign. Listeners can catch the full discussion with Jamie O'Hara, Michael Bridge, and Lyall Thomas on the Tottenham summer special podcast, either as an audio feed or on YouTube.