Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara has publicly urged the North London club to make a move for Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford. In a recent appearance on Sky Sports' "Tottenham Summer Special" podcast, O'Hara argued that head coach Roberto De Zerbi would be the perfect "man‑manager" to get the best out of Rashford, whose future at United remains uncertain. O'Hara’s comments come at a time when Tottenham are actively scouting for a left‑sided forward.
Sky Sports reports that the club’s transfer targets include Manchester City’s promising youngster Savinho and Liverpool’s versatile attacker Cody Gakpo. While both players have attracted interest, O'Hara believes Rashford should be at the top of Spurs’ priority list. During the podcast, O'Hara said, "I like Savinho. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, although he hasn’t fully broken through at City yet.
He’s clearly talented." He added, "Gakpo is also a good option – he might need a few chances to find the net, but he has a certain quality that could suit us. I wouldn’t be disappointed with either signing." However, O'Hara quickly turned the conversation to Rashford: "I just don’t understand why we aren’t chasing Marcus. How much would he cost? What would it take to bring him here?" He acknowledged the striker’s hefty wage bill – roughly £350,000 per week – and admitted that Tottenham might struggle to meet those terms.
Yet he argued that if the club could secure Rashford on a reduced deal, perhaps with a performance‑related clause, the investment would be justified. "He’s still one of the best players around," O'Hara insisted. "If he stays at United, he’ll still be playing, so why aren’t we interested?" Rashford returned to United’s squad after a loan spell at Barcelona, where he posted 14 goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances, helping the Catalans clinch La Liga.
Despite his success, Barcelona chose not to make the deal permanent, leaving Rashford available for other suitors. O'Hara believes Rashford would fit the "bomba" signing that De Zerbi hinted at last month.
The Italian manager has indicated a desire to add at least one wide attacker before the summer window closes. "De Zerbi is the perfect man‑manager for a player like Rashford," O'Hara said. "He knows how to get the most out of a forward with Rashford’s skill set." He also highlighted the need for a quality left‑winger, noting that while Mathys Tel shows promise, he is not yet the solution Spurs require.
"We need a top‑drawer player who can elevate us to the next level and push the team forward," O'Hara added. "If the finances are there – and it looks like they might be – and De Zerbi says we’re signing a big name, then we should make it happen." Tottenham have already spent £237 million on six new arrivals this summer, including a club‑record £100 million fee for Sandro Tonali. Yet the forward line still appears thin, and with just under three weeks left before the transfer deadline, the pressure is mounting to reinforce the attack. Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge expressed confidence in De Zerbi’s recruitment strategy, praising the manager’s hands‑on approach and his ability to unlock the squad’s potential.
"From what I’ve seen, De Zerbi knows exactly what he wants and has a good feel for the market," Bridge said. "He’s been given the keys to the door – now we just need to see him open it on the forward positions." The podcast also touched on the possible departure of England teammate Djed Spence, who is rumored to be close to a £30 million move to Inter Milan. O'Hara warned that losing Spence could leave Tottenham with only Pedro Porro as a recognized right‑back. "I’d be disappointed to see him go," O'Hara remarked.
"Spence can play across the back four and even on the wing. He’s athletic, strong, and decent on the ball. If Porro gets injured, we need a reliable replacement – we can’t rely on Archie Gray in that role." Should Spence indeed head to Serie A, Sky Sports’ senior editor Lyall Thomas suggested Spurs should target a younger right‑back with development potential. He praised Porro’s consistency and experience, noting that his presence could serve as a mentor for any new signing.
In summary, Jamie O'Hara’s message to Tottenham is clear: the club should seriously consider making a bid for Marcus Rashford, especially given De Zerbi’s tactical philosophy and the current shortage of high‑quality wide attackers. While financial constraints and wage demands present challenges, O'Hara believes the potential upside – a proven Premier League talent with a track record of delivering goals and assists – outweighs the risks.
For a full breakdown of O'Hara’s thoughts, along with insights from Michael Bridge and Lyall Thomas, listeners can tune into the "Tottenham Summer Special" podcast on Sky Sports or watch the episode on YouTube.