Tottenham transfer news: De Zerbi targets ambitious Rashford deal to reshape Tottenham attack
Tottenham transfer news: Roberto De Zerbi wants Marcus Rashford. It is as simple, and as complicated, as that. The Italian manager has earmarked the Manchester United forward as the ideal catalyst to spark his new-look Tottenham frontline into life, but the numbers behind the proposed deal are currently making Johan Lange flinch. United want £40m. Lange says no.
The 28-year-old is fresh off a fascinating campaign in Spain. A year-long loan at Barcelona yielded 14 goals and 14 assists across 49 appearances, a genuine renaissance under the Mediterranean sun. Yet, despite that stellar output, the Catalan giants declined to trigger their £26m permanent buy option. Hansi Flick looked elsewhere, spending €70m on Anthony Gordon instead and leaving Rashford in limbo, packed off back to Manchester.
The Old Trafford standoff and the wage wall
Old Trafford chiefs are desperate to get his massive salary off the books. Permanently. No more loans. That firm stance puts a massive spanner in the works for De Zerbi, who expects full backing in the market this summer to mould the squad to his liking.
There is a glimmer of hope for Spurs, though. Word from The i Paper suggests United might swallow their pride and accept closer to £25m as the deadline ticks closer. But then comes the real roadblock: £325,000 a week.
That is what Rashford takes home right now. Lange has zero intention of smashing the club’s strict wage structure for an unpredictable talent, no matter how much pressure De Zerbi applies. It is a massive financial gulf. Unless the player accepts a major pay cut, the transfer is dead in the water.
Worse still for Tottenham, Rashford reportedly prefers another move abroad over staying in the Premier League. He is not sold on joining a domestic rival.
Spurs are looking at backups. Savinho and Cody Gakpo are regularly mentioned around the training ground. But Rashford remains the prize De Zerbi really wants. This entire saga now comes down to a game of poker. Who blinks first? If United drop the price and Rashford lowers his demands, Tottenham are ready. If not, it is a non-starter.