Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow on Transfer Deadline Day by Tottenham Hotspur with their bitter rivals beating them to the punch
Arsenal have been dealt a hammer blow on Transfer Deadline Day by bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The Gunners had been linked to highly rated Hearts youngster James Wilson on an initial loan deal, but Spurs have beaten their rivals to the youngster. Hearts boss Derek McInnes revealed on Monday afternoon that Arsenal had been in touch with the Scottish club over a potential swoop for the teenage striker.
The Premier League leaders wanted to bolster their U21s squad before Monday's 7pm transfer deadline. However, Spurs have swooped in on Deadline Day and seemingly snatched the deal from under their rivals' nose.
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The Daily Record reports that Tottenham have beaten Arsenal to the signing, with Wilson travelling down to London to sign for Thomas Frank's side.
Spurs have agreed to pay a significant loan fee for Wilson, as well as agreeing a potential fee to sign him permanently in the summer.
The teenager, who has scored twice in 10 appearances for Hearts this season, has already been capped by Scotland.
"There was conversation with Arsenal yesterday, they called and spoke to Graeme [Jones, sporting director] but there's been nothing since," Derek McInnes told Sky Sports Scotland.
There have also been rumours of Arsenal's rivals Tottenham Hotspur entering the race for Wilson, but McInnes added: "I've heard Tottenham as well but Tottenham have had no discussions with us directly."
"He's been restricted with minutes this season. It's tough to get into the first team at this age. Would we see the benefit of a loan? Yes, to get some minutes. But this one was a wee bit left-field."
He added: "Listen, he is a young player, he has been restricted with minutes this season, it has been well documented how well Lawrence and Braga has done and Kabore has done well for us as well.
"It's tough to get into someone's first-team at that age, obviously James got a bit more exposure last season but he is a good kid as well. Would we see the benefit of a loan? Potentially, yes.
"He could get a loan and get some minutes. This one was a little bit left-field from Arsenal and their development squad. Like I say, these conversations with Arsenal were yesterday but we have heard nothing back.
"I don't know where that will go but if James is still here in the building when the window shuts... great and we work with him as we have done and try and find the best solution for him to get in our team and play his part."