How Tottenham beat Arsenal to sign James Wilson and their plan for young striker | OneFootball

Spurs swooped late to sign 18-year-old from Hearts on Deadline Day

It was a surprisingly quiet Deadline Day for Tottenham, despite Thomas Frank saying they would be active on the final day of the window.

The 18-year-old striker joined Spurs Under-21s on loan from Hearts with the option to make the move permanent in the summer.

It had looked for most of the day as if Arsenal were front-runners for Wilson’s signature, but Spurs struck late, submitting a deal sheet to bring the youngster to Hotspur Way last night.

Wilson will link up with the Spurs Under-21s squad

Getty Images

Hearts manager Derek McInnes confirmed earlier on Monday that Arsenal had been in talks over a deal.

But the Gunners were only prepared to effectively offer a six-month trial before making a decision on Wilson and Spurs sensed an opportunity.

They, too, will assess Wilson’s character and ability during his time on loan, but with firmer guarantees over his potential future at the club and agreeing a formal option to buy the player.

Wilson is a signing for Spurs U21s but with injuries continuing to mount there could potentially be first-team opportunities, should he impress.

Dane Scarlett has just joined Hibs on loan and Spurs are not blessed with a wealth of attacking options, with Richarlison injury and Randal Kolo Muani out of form.

Wilson was always unlikely to get such opportunities at Premier League leaders Arsenal, who have been hailed for their squad depth this season and have given limited minutes to established academy graduates Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.

Wilson enjoyed a breakthrough season last year at Hearts, scoring six goals in 33 appearances, but has struggled for minutes this term with Hearts leading the Scottish Premiership.

He has made just one start in the SPFL this season so should not be expected to be ready to make an immediate impact.

Wilson, who has one senior cap for Scotland, has attracted interest from English clubs since he was 16 and continues a growing post-Brexit trend of young Scottish players moving south of the border to enhance their career prospects.

He will be joined in Spurs’ academy by former-Celtic prodigy Conall Glancy, and will fancy his chances of making the step up to the first team.