Scotland international striker has spent four months at Tottenham
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James Wilson is poised to return to Hearts at the end of the season following four months on loan at Tottenham Hotspur. The Edinburgh News can reveal that the 19-year-old striker will soon head back to Riccarton eager to make an impression after experiencing life at an English Premier League club.
Wilson has played 10 times for Spurs Under-21s since moving south in February, scoring four goals to date. He is currently in London preparing for Friday night’s Premier League 2 play-off semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion Under-21s. Tottenham are aiming to make the final and the young Scotsman could play an important part.
Either way, he is destined to return to his native Edinburgh this summer. Should Spurs Under-21s lose to Brighton tomorrow, Wilson could be back north as early as next week. However, he would not be able to take part in any of Hearts’ games in the Scottish Premiership title quest because the transfer window does not officially open until next month.
The teenager left Tynecastle Park for England hoping to play regular football after struggling for game time earlier in the season. Arsenal showed interest as the winter transfer window deadline approached, but London rivals Tottenham secured a loan deal for Wilson which includes the option of a permanent transfer for a fee of £2.5m. That clause won’t be invoked. Threatened by relegation, Spurs may need to cut costs this summer and Wilson is keen to play competitive first-team football elsewhere next season rather than remain an under-21 player.
He was named among the Tottenham substitutes for first-team Premier League games against Arsenal in February and Liverpool in March, but a senior appearance eluded him. He is contracted to Hearts until summer 2027 in a deal which could potentially be extended. So far, he has scored eight goals in 45 senior appearances for his parent club and will now aim to re-establish himself there during pre-season training.
The Hearts head coach Derek McInnes stated publicly in February that he did not feel a loan move to Tottenham was in Wilson’s best interests. He felt the player needed to play in amongst senior professionals rather than at under-21 level. Wilson was simply keen to play more football after making only 10 appearances for the Tynecastle side between July and January.
“I couldn't guarantee him minutes, such is the way it's been,” said McInnes at the time. “I told him and his agent that our preference was to stay, fight for his place, be part of something. But his head was turned with the Tottenham thing. 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.”
Tottenham have focused on recruiting young British players recently but their senior side are currently just one point above the Premier League’s relegation zone. They have had three different managers since the turn of the year - Thomas Frank, Igor Tudor and now Roberto De Zerbi.