Arsenal may be on course to win their first Premier League title since 2004 – but they have been beaten by Tottenham in the race to sign James Wilson.
Spurs have announced the arrival of the highly-rated 18-year-old from Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts on loan with an option to buy.
4
The teenager, who has already been selected for Scotland by Steve Clarke, has scored eight goals in 21 starts for Hearts.
However, he has played just 77 minutes this season for Derek McInnes’ men, who sit six points clear of Celtic at the top of the SPFL.
Wilson sought regular playing time as his path up the club’s pecking order was blocked by being behind Lawrence Shankland, Pierre Landry Kabore and Claudio Braga.
Wil power
And despite interest from Arsenal, who were only willing to offer the striker a trial, he has now linked up with Spurs.
Before Wilson’s move was announced, ESPN reporter and Hearts fan Mark Donaldson raved about his talent.
Appearing on Hawksbee and Jacobs on Monday and discussing why there is interest in Wilson, Donaldson said: “It’s actually about Brexit.”
“It used to be that English Premier League clubs could easily sign players under the age of 18 from European clubs, but now this is much more difficult, if not impossible for some, without high transfer fees.”
“So they have turned their attention north of the border and a lot more English clubs have scouts in Scotland.”
“And this is a player who caused a stir last year, Scotland’s youngest ever player against Greece. But with Hearts doing well this season he is struggling with playing time.”
“Arsenal have been linked, but so have Spurs, so it could be a battle in north London for the young man.”
4
Hearts manager McInnes had publicly confirmed that discussions had taken place between the club’s sporting director Graham Jones and Arsenal for Wilson, who has only been allowed to play seven league minutes since August.
Donaldson continued: “I don’t think he’ll get many chances between now and the end of the season, but I want Hearts to get the most out of him.”
Since Wilson was granted a loan with an option to buy, Donaldson says this is an agreement that benefits the Spurs.
Donaldson added: “What’s in it for Hearts without the guarantee of getting money at the end of the season?”
“So I would like him to get more chances, but it’s like the old West Ham player Tommy McQueen, who was a former colleague of mine and who said when he was at Aberdeen he did really well in the reserves.”
“And he went to Alex Ferguson, knocked on the door and said, ‘Gaffer, I think I deserve a chance, I’ve done really well.’
4
“Ferguson said: ‘I agree with you, that’s true’ and then he pointed to the table, Aberdeen were at the top, he said: ‘But so do I, now get out of there.’
“It’s a true story, it’s difficult for James to get into the team. You’re not going to change it just to please a young player and keep him at the football club.”
“Manchester United were linked with him when he was 15 years old. He recently signed a new contract.”
“So I would like to see him stay, but I would also like to see him get the best chance for himself and at the moment I don’t think that’s the case at Hearts.”
“So why not try something different?”
4
“Hopefully I could get to the top”
Wilson, who broke into Hearts’ first team in the 2023/24 season, only signed a new contract until the summer of 2027 last April.
As for what Spurs fans can expect from him, Donaldson told The Pitch Prospect: “He’s quick, he’s good, he’s very agile, he can play down the right.”
“He can play through, has an eye for goal and scored the equalizer against Hibernian in October 2024.”
“He’s tall, slim, he’s a prospect and for an 18-year-old you’re buying him potential.”
“You get some 18-year-olds from Brazil, they’re ready, they’ve been playing first-team football for a few years.”
“James is a project that I think can hopefully go to the top and I don’t see why he shouldn’t go south.”