Tottenham Hotspur were one of several clubs to have enquired about Marcus Rashford this summer, before signing Mykhailo Mudryk instead.
Spurs strengthened all three departments in the summer window, leaving attacking reinforcements to the final weeks and days.
Savio and Omar Marmoush arrived from Man City while the Lilywhites also completed a shock deadline-day loan signing of Mykhailo Mudryk.
It was clear that, unlike the Man City pair, Mudryk was not one of Tottenham’s first-choice options, and it has now been confirmed that they did seriously look into signing an experienced Premier League forward.
Tottenham spoke to Man United over a deal for Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham through the summer window, but he ended up staying put at Old Trafford.
The Telegraph have now confirmed that Spurs were one of several clubs to launch an enquiry for the 28-year-old forward this summer.
It is revealed that there was a purchase clause in Rashford’s contract worth £40m last summer for all clubs except Barcelona, but the clause was not applicable to United’s two biggest rivals, Man City and Liverpool.
Aston Villa also launched an enquiry for the forward, as did clubs from Italy, Germany and Turkey. However, all of these clubs ‘baulked at the fee’, questioning why they should pay more than Barcelona were offered.
Additionally, it is revealed that Rashford’s £325,000-a-week salary was also an obstacle for many of the interested clubs.
Will Spurs look to sign another winger in January?
Even before his injury, De Zerbi admitted that Mudryk needs time to get up to full fitness, having not been in competitive action for almost two years.
Following his injury setback, the Ukrainian may not reach peak physical condition until the end of the year.
That has left De Zerbi with Matyhs Tel as his only natural left-wing option, and given that Wilson Odobert is still some way away from returning, one would not be surprised if signing a left-winger is a priority for Spurs in January.