Fabio Paratici will leave Tottenham Hotspur in February to join Fiorentina, while one of his final acts was to snatch a signing from under Arsenal's noses
Tottenham Hotspur sporting director Fabio Paratici has helped to complete a parting gift with Spurs announcing the signing of Arsenal-linked James Wilson from Hearts on deadline day.
Paratici only came back to Spurs in October - after departing in 2023 due to allegations of false accounting at his previous club, Juventus. The Italian was later handed a 30-month suspension by FIFA, but served as an advisor for the north London outfit before formally returning earlier on this campaign.
Yet Paratici will exit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium once more, having voiced his wish to return to his homeland, where he will join up with Fiorentina. And one of his final acts at Spurs was to help them sign Wilson from Scottish Premiership table-toppers Hearts from under Arsenal's noses.
The 18-year-old striker has joined Tottenham on loan until the end of the season. football.london understand that Spurs have inserted an option-to-buy clause in the last-gasp deal.
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An official statement from Hearts said: "James Wilson has completed a loan move to Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season. The terms of the loan move also include an option to buy for an undisclosed fee, on Spurs' part. Good luck at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, James!"
Spurs said: "We are delighted to announce the signing of James Wilson on loan from Heart of Midlothian for the remainder of the season, with an option to make the move permanent in the summer.
"Joining up with our Under-21s squad, the 18-year-old striker began his career at Hearts, progressing through their academy before making his professional debut in January 2024 at the age of 16. To date, he has made 45 senior appearances for the Scottish Premiership side, scoring eight goals.
"James became the club's youngest ever European goalscorer in December 2024, after netting against FC Petrocub in the UEFA Conference League, while also becoming the youngest player to score in the competition.
"After representing Scotland and Northern Ireland at youth level, he earned his first senior cap for Scotland in March, 2025, to become his nation's youngest men's international, breaking a 138-year-old record when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in a UEFA Nations League play-off tie against Greece."
Wilson featured 45 times for Hearts - scoring eight goals and providing three assists. The vast majority of the teenager's appearances came last term, when he established himself as a regular starter.
This season, however, the Scotland international has struggled to force himself into the side. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Hearts' clash against St Mirren on Tuesday evening, head coach Derek McInnes confirmed that Arsenal were also interested in signing Wilson.
He said: "There was a conversation with Arsenal yesterday, but there's been nothing since from Arsenal. I've heard Tottenham, as well, but Tottenham have had no discussions with us directly.
"Any player going out would have to be a benefit to the club. These sorts of things get left to Graeme Jones."
He added: "James is a young player. He's been restricted with minutes this season. It's well documented how well Lawrence [Shankland] and [Claudio] Braga have done.
"Big Kabore has come in and did well for us, as well. It's tough to get into someone's first-team at that age. James had a bit more exposure last season, but he's such a good kid, he trains well.
"Would we see the benefit of a loan? Potentially, yes, if he were to go get some minutes, but this one is a little bit left-field. That came yesterday from Arsenal, from their development squad. Those conversations with Arsenal were yesterday [Sunday], and we've heard nothing back from Arsenal today [Monday]."