Arsenal and Spurs battled it out to sign the Hearts rising star, but his former manager isn’t convinced by his choice.
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Tottenham Hotspur youngster James Wilson has been sent a warning message by Hearts coach Derek McInnes after he quit the Scottish outfit to sign for the Premier League club on Deadline Day.
Spurs beat North London rivals Arsenal to the transfer of the 18-year-old, who has arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a loan deal with the option of a permanent £2.5 million transfer this summer.
Wilson is a graduate of the Hearts academy and is highly rated, despite struggling for game time under McInnes this season. The forward had been afforded just 77 minutes in the Scottish Premiership.
McInnes - Wilson ‘better than’ Spurs academy
Nonetheless, Hearts wanted him to stay closer to home and seek out a loan in Scotland with St Johnstone keen on the player. However, he chose to make the move to England and be deployed in the Premier League 2 with the Spurs’ youth team.
Speaking after the move, McInnes wasn’t overly positive with his verdict. He said: “James wanted to go, that has to be said. So you don't want to keep a player who then becomes unhappy.
“I couldn't guarantee him minutes, such is the way it's been. I told him and his agent knew that our preference was for him to stay, fight for your place, be part of something. Get a loan in Scotland if need be, if you need to top your minutes up, and we can maybe recall you so you still get the best of both worlds.
“His head was turned with the Tottenham thing. First of all it was Arsenal, then Arsenal went quiet and then all of a sudden Tottenham came to the table yesterday [Monday] afternoon. I don't think it's the right move for him. Ultimately, it's academy football and I think he's better than that, but it was something James wanted to do.
“Like I say, we made it clear that our preference was for him to stay and be part of something here. He made the decision and I hope it goes well for him because he's a great kid and we'll see how it plays out. For us, I just need to concentrate on the players who are here, who want to be here and who want to play their part.”
Tottenham beat Arsenal to Scottish youngster
Speaking about the transfer on Sky Sports as it was confirmed, former Premier League striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink said: “I’d go to the club that is going to give me the most minutes, who tells me the right plan, what they are going to do with me and how they are going to get me better.
“They can’t tell you exactly, but if he goes to Arsenal and they say he’s going to be for the future and go on loan... but Spurs say he will be part of the first team and get minutes here and there, be really part of it, then the decision is very easily made for me.”
In other news, La Liga club preparing 'formal offer' for Tottenham star who wants to 'quit' this summer.