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 the current Spurs head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, would be the "perfect man‑manager" to get the best out of Rashford, whose future at Old Trafford remains uncertain. According to Sky Sports News, acquiring a new left‑handed forward is a top priority for Tottenham this window.
The club has already been linked with Manchester City winger Savinho and Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, but O'Hara believes Rashford should be at the top of the list. He said, "I like Savinho – he shows flashes of brilliance, even if he hasn't fully settled at City.
Gakpo is also a quality player, though he sometimes needs several chances to find the net. But I just don't understand why we aren't chasing Rashford.
How much would he cost? How much can we afford?" O'Hara acknowledged the financial challenge, noting Rashford's current wage of roughly £350,000 per week. "Spurs might not be able to match that salary, but Rashford is a world‑class talent.
If we can sign him at a reduced fee and give him a point to prove, he would still be one of the best players available," he added. He also pointed out that even if Rashford remains at United, he will still feature regularly, making the lack of interest from Tottenham even more puzzling.
Rashford returned to Manchester United's squad after a loan spell at Barcelona, where he recorded 14 goals and 14 assists in 47 games as the Catalans clinched LaLiga. O'Hara feels the 28‑year‑old would fit the "bomba" signing De Zerbi hinted at last month – a high‑profile wide attacker to bolster the Spurs attack before the summer window closes.
"De Zerbi is the perfect man‑manager for someone like Rashford," O'Hara said. "He knows how to get the most out of a player of Rashford's caliber. It could be a great signing for us, even if Rashford ultimately decides to go elsewhere. The left side is still an area we need to improve.
While Mathys Tel is a promising youngster, he is not the answer we need right now. We need a top‑drawer player who can lift us to the next level." He continued, "If the money is there – and it looks like it is – and De Zerbi has said we are ready to bring in another big name, then we should make it happen." Tottenham have already spent £237 million on six new signings this summer, including a club‑record £100 million fee for Sandro Tonali, which was completed over a month ago.
Despite that spending spree, concerns have been raised that the recruitment drive may be stalling, with the forward line still lacking depth as the deadline approaches. Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge expressed confidence in the club's plans, stating, "Tottenham know what they need. From the conversations I’ve had and what I’ve seen so far, I’m confident they will get it done.
I’ve been impressed with the midfield acquisitions, and De Zerbi seems to have a clear vision for the attacking department. He’s very hands‑on, and the board has given him the freedom to bring in the players he wants." The discussion also turned to the possible departure of England teammate Djed Spence. The 26‑year‑old right‑back is reportedly close to a move to Inter Milan, potentially worth up to £30 million. O'Hara warned that losing Spence would leave Pedro Porro as the sole recognized right‑back in the squad.
He said, "I’d be disappointed to see Spence go. He can play on both flanks and as a winger, he’s athletic, strong, and comfortable on the ball. Even if he isn’t a guaranteed starter, he provides valuable depth.
If Porro gets injured, we need a reliable replacement – we can’t rely on Destiny Udogie’s fitness or on a youngster like Archie Gray to fill that role immediately." Should Spence indeed move to Serie A, Sky Sports News expects Tottenham to target another right‑back before the September 1 deadline, likely a younger player with development potential. Senior football editor Lyall Thomas added, "If Spence leaves, Spurs should look for a right‑back who can be a project for the future.
Porro is one of the few players you can count on to play every game, and his experience as a World Cup winner makes him an ideal mentor for a younger defender." In summary, O'Hara’s main points are clear: Tottenham need a high‑quality left‑sided attacker, Rashford fits that profile, and De Zerbi is the manager who could unlock his full potential. At the same time, the club must consider defensive depth, particularly on the right side, as they navigate the final weeks of the transfer window.
Fans can hear the full conversation with O'Hara, Bridge, and Thomas by listening to the "Tottenham Summer Special" podcast on Sky Sports or watching the video on YouTube.