Tottenham set to beat Arsenal to the signing of James Wilson | OneFootball

Tottenham are set to beat Arsenal to the signing of highly rated Hearts forward James Wilson (18), with the teenager poised to join Spurs on loan for the remainder of the season, according to reports from BBC Sport.

The 18-year-old had been the subject of talks with Arsenal, who were exploring a short-term move that would have effectively served as a six-month trial. However, Tottenham have moved ahead of their north London rivals, agreeing a deal that will see Wilson link up with the club’s Under-21s, with an option to make the move permanent in the summer.

Wilson has already built an impressive résumé despite his age. He has scored eight goals in 45 appearances for Hearts since making his senior debut during the 2023-24 campaign and has also earned international recognition, winning a senior cap for Scotland. His progress has not gone unnoticed, with Premier League interest emerging rapidly.

Hearts manager Derek McInnes admitted the level of attention had come as a surprise, noting that Wilson has found regular first-team minutes hard to come by in a competitive squad. A loan move, he suggested, could provide the striker with valuable game time at a crucial stage of his development.

For Tottenham, the deal reflects a continued focus on recruiting promising young talent with a view to long-term growth. For Wilson, it represents an opportunity to accelerate his development in a Premier League environment while keeping the door open to a permanent move.

GFN | Finn Entwistle