Tottenham Hotspur have made waves in the transfer market this summer, but there’s a sense the club’s ambitions could be capped unless they add real firepower up front before the season starts.
Spurs’ attack was hit hard by injuries throughout 2025/26, with several key forwards unable to find consistent form. Richarlison was the standout among the senior attackers, finishing as the club’s top Premier League scorer with 11 goals, while Randal Kolo Muani’s loan from PSG never took off, yielding just one league goal all season. Dominic Solanke, signed for around £65 million, also had his campaign disrupted by injury, leaving his future unclear. With De Zerbi aiming to turn Spurs into genuine contenders, adding proven quality in attack is now a major priority — and AC Milan’s Rafael Leão is one name strongly linked with a move.
Leão is reportedly ready to leave Milan this summer following Ruben Amorim’s arrival, closing the book on a successful seven-year spell in Italy. Across 291 appearances for the Rossoneri he scored 80 goals, establishing himself as one of Serie A’s most feared wide players thanks to his pace, dribbling and attacking threat, especially cutting in from the left. He also caught the eye at the World Cup with Portugal, often coming off the bench but regularly making an impact with his direct running — including a fine goal against Uzbekistan and an assist, while averaging 2.2 successful dribbles per game, among the tournament’s best. There’s no question Leão would add real spark to Tottenham’s attack and give De Zerbi a genuine game-changer out wide.
But there may be an even better option on the table. Marcus Rashford has unexpectedly entered the conversation as another possible target for Spurs. The England forward had a tough time under Amorim at Old Trafford, eventually being loaned out after starting well but later falling out of favour. Loan spells followed at Aston Villa and then Barcelona, and with the Catalans reportedly now favouring a move for Anthony Gordon instead, Rashford’s next step is still up in the air. Current reports point to a return to Manchester United as the likeliest outcome, though he’s said to be actively touted to a number of top clubs, with Tottenham among those linked.
It’s a name that splits opinion. His recent form at United and hefty wages make any deal a big financial gamble, but few forwards match his combination of pace, finishing and big-game experience at his best. Anthony Gordon has called him one of the finest players around on his day, and last season backed that up — Rashford racked up 28 goal involvements in all competitions during his loan at Barcelona, well ahead of Leão’s 13 for Milan over the same stretch. His Champions League numbers stand out too: nine goal contributions in just 11 appearances last term, taking his career total in the competition to 29 in only 48 games, compared with Leão’s 13 in 30.
Rashford’s peak years also outstrip anything Leão has produced. In 2022/23 he scored 30 goals and added 12 assists across all competitions — 42 goal involvements in total, well clear of Leão’s best-ever season return of 31. He’s shown throughout his career that he can deliver at club and international level, and while he hasn’t quite lived up to the sky-high expectations of his teenage breakthrough, he still has the pace and finishing to turn matches on their own.
Leão would undoubtedly be an exciting addition, bringing flair and unpredictability to De Zerbi’s side. But if Tottenham want a signing that makes an immediate statement, Rashford might offer more bang for their buck. With suggestions he could be had for around £40 million, he represents a rare chance to land a proven winner at a reasonable price — and if Spurs can make the finances work, he could end up being the shrewder, more impactful addition this summer.
