Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly gearing up to present a transfer proposal for Marcus Rashford, with the Manchester United forward’s summer intentions now becoming clearer. The North London club has placed Rashford at the top of their shortlist as part of an ambitious summer recruitment drive that continues to gather pace. Reports suggest that Spurs are preparing a formal bid for the England international, who impressed during his 2025-26 loan spell at Barcelona.

Spurs view Rashford as a prime target for their next major signing. According to The i Paper, internal discussions at Tottenham have turned towards crafting an official offer for the 26-year-old, who is currently representing England at the World Cup. The club’s transfer strategy this window has centred on proven Premier League performers rather than untested prospects from abroad. Tottenham have already brought in Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £52 million and secured free transfer deals for Andrew Robertson and Marcos Senesi. They have also tabled a substantial £80 million offer for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali.

Although Rashford and Manchester United have agreed on a £40 million release clause for this summer, Spurs are reportedly reluctant to match that valuation outright. Instead, the Tottenham board is believed to be considering a lower initial proposal in hopes that United may be open to negotiations.

Rashford’s personal preference appears to differ from Tottenham’s ambitions. The report indicates that the forward would rather move abroad once again or return to Manchester United to re-establish himself within the first-team setup. At this stage, a transfer to another Premier League side is not among his preferred options, creating a potential stumbling block for Spurs’ pursuit.

Nevertheless, circumstances at Old Trafford may force a change in Rashford’s stance. The i Paper notes that United are eager to offload the England attacker to ease the burden of his high wages. Although Rashford found renewed form during his stint at Camp Nou, United insiders are firm in their decision not to sanction another loan to Barcelona, especially after the Spanish club declined to trigger the £26 million clause to make his stay permanent.

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly a major admirer of Rashford’s abilities and is expected to urge the club’s top brass to pursue the deal aggressively. The Italian coach sees Rashford as a player who fits his attacking philosophy. It is understood that Rashford recognises that any potential transfer would come with financial sacrifices, and he is prepared to accept a significant pay cut to facilitate the move at this stage of his career.

For Tottenham, the main challenge will be balancing a reasonable transfer fee with their existing wage structure. Despite this, there is a growing sense within the club that Rashford could represent strong value for money if both sides manage to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

At Manchester United, the summer rebuild is already underway. The club plans to reinvest any funds from a Rashford sale into new signings. A deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson is believed to be close to completion, while talks continue with West Ham over Mateus Fernandes, although negotiations have reportedly slowed due to the London club’s valuation. United are also keeping tabs on Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, who has been in excellent form for the Netherlands.