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 candid interview 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 given the uncertainty surrounding the forward's future at Old Trafford. O'Hara highlighted that a new left‑sided attacker is a clear priority for Tottenham this transfer window. The club has already been linked with Manchester City prospect Savinho and Liverpool's versatile forward Cody Gakpo, but O'Hara believes Rashford should sit at the top of the list.
"I just don't understand why we aren't targeting Marcus Rashford," he said. "Spurs should simply ask: how much are we willing to spend?
How much can we realistically secure?" He acknowledged Rashford's hefty £350,000‑a‑week wage, noting that while the figure is daunting, the quality of the player justifies serious consideration. The former midfielder explained that Rashford, now 28, recently returned to United after a loan spell at Barcelona. During his time in Spain, Rashford contributed 14 goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances, helping the Catalan side clinch the LaLiga title, even though Barcelona ultimately decided not to purchase him. O'Hara sees Rashford as a "bomba" signing that aligns with De Zerbi's recent hints about adding at least one high‑profile wide attacker before the summer window closes.
According to O'Hara, De Zerbi's managerial style is especially suited to Rashford. "De Zerbi is the perfect man‑manager for someone like Rashford," he asserted.
"He knows how to get the best out of a player with Rashford's skill set, pace, and work ethic." O'Hara also cautioned that Rashford might prefer a move elsewhere, but stressed that Tottenham's left‑flank remains a weak point. While Mathys Tel shows promise, O'Hara believes the club needs a proven, top‑drawer talent to elevate the team to the next level. Financially, Tottenham have already splashed out £237 million on six new signings this summer, including a club‑record £100 million fee for Sandro Tonali. Yet, with the transfer deadline fast approaching—just under three weeks away—questions linger about whether the recruitment drive has stalled, particularly regarding the forward line.
Sky Sports' Michael Bridge expressed confidence in De Zerbi's vision, noting the manager's hands‑on approach and his promise to "open the door" on big attacking signings. The discussion also turned to Tottenham's defensive options.
England teammate Djed Spence appears set to leave for Inter Milan in a deal that could reach £30 million. O'Hara warned that Spence's departure would leave the club with limited depth at right‑back, as Pedro Porro would become the sole recognized starter in that position. "I would be disappointed to see him go," O'Hara said.
"Spence can play across the back four and even on the wing. Losing him without a suitable replacement would be risky, especially if Porro or other options suffer injuries." He emphasized the need for a younger, development‑focused right‑back should Spence exit, while also noting that Archie Gray is being groomed as a midfield prospect rather than a defender.
Lyall Thomas, Sky Sports' senior football editor, echoed the sentiment, suggesting that any right‑back signing should be a long‑term project rather than an immediate stop‑gap. He praised Porro for his reliability and experience, describing him as a valuable mentor for any emerging defender.
In summary, O'Hara's main points are clear: Tottenham should aggressively pursue Marcus Rashford, leveraging De Zerbi's managerial acumen to integrate the player effectively, while also addressing the right‑back situation should Djed Spence depart. The club's recent spending spree shows willingness to invest, but the window is narrowing, and decisive action will be required to secure both a world‑class forward and adequate defensive cover before the September 1 deadline. Listeners can hear the full conversation with Jamie O'Hara, Michael Bridge, and Lyall Thomas on the Tottenham Summer Special podcast, available on Sky Sports' platforms and YouTube.