Football London

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]."

Tottenham's transfer window has come to a close but what does it mean for Thomas Frank's Premier League and Champions League squad

Tottenham's transfer window brought fewer new arrivals than Thomas Frank and the fans had hoped for but the Dane still has decisions to make with his injury-ravaged squad

The only movement on deadline day came with deals in and out for the club's under-21s, leaving Frank's first team squad to battle on without 11 injured players in the weeks and months ahead. Captain Cristian Romero appeared to hit out at that situation in an Instagram post on Monday evening after the window closed, posting within his message: "We only had 11 players available - unbelievable but true and disgraceful."

Tottenham's two transfers in the summer were the £34.7million deal for Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid as well as the £13million signing of Santos left-back Souza. Heading out of the door at Tottenham were Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace in a £35million deal as well as defender Kota Takai on loan to Borussia Monchengladbach.

So what does that all mean for Spurs' Premier League and problematic Champions League squads and what three changes will be made to Frank's final European squad.

Premier League

In the Premier League, a club's Under-21 players do not need to be included on their 25-man squad list yet are eligible to play in the Premier League.

To be considered an Under-21 player for this Premier League season, players must have been born on or after January 1, 2004. That means Souza can join fellow January arrivals James Wilson and Mason Melia as well as Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel on that under-21s list.

Tottenham have one spot free in their non-homegrown player list, because they only have 16 rather than the allowed 17. England international Gallagher replaces Johnson in the homegrown player list, meaning Tottenham still have seven of the eight required.

The Premier League rules state that "a 'Home Grown Player' is a player who, irrespective of nationality or age, has been registered with any club affiliated to The Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons, or 36 months, before his 21st birthday (or the end of the season during which he turns 21)."

Kevin Danso qualifies as a homegrown player in Premier League terms because he was in the youth academies at Reading and MK Dons for years before leaving England at the age of 16 and later returning for a season at Southampton.

Here's how the club's Premier League squad looks now:

Premier League non-homegrown players (16 currently, 17 maximum allowed): Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Pedro Porro, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Joao Palhinha, Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison, Pape Matar Sarr, Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani.

Premier League homegrown players (Seven currently and eight minimum required): Dominic Solanke, Kevin Danso, Brandon Austin, Ben Davies, James Maddison, Conor Gallagher, Djed Spence.

Notable Under-21s players: Souza, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert, Mathys Tel, Dane Scarlett, Mason Melia, James Wilson.

Champions League

The Champions League squad is where it all goes pear-shaped and Frank is going to have to make decisions here for the last 16 where Spurs will face one of Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Galatasary or Club Brugge.

The main differences between the European and domestic squads are that with UEFA to go on the U21s list you need to have been at the club for two seasons and also the homegrown section falls into two very different categories.

First off, UEFA's rules say that no club can have more than 25 players on their A-List during the season, of whom at least two must be goalkeepers.

The rules then state that "as a minimum, eight of those 25 places are reserved exclusively for 'locally trained players' and no club may have more than four 'association-trained players' listed among those eight places. If a club have fewer than eight locally-trained players in their squad, then the maximum number of players on List A is reduced accordingly".

There are two different types of locally-trained player. One is a 'club-trained player', those who have been on a club's books for three entire seasons or 36 months between the ages of 15 and 21. The other is an 'association-trained player', those who were on another club's books in the same association for three entire seasons or 36 months between the ages of 15 and 21.

So while Danso is homegrown in the Premier League, he will not, like Gallagher, fit into that association-trained category in Europe because he left England at the age of 16.

Now for the problematic registration of new young players. In Europe, there is a B-List for players born on, or after, January 1, 2004 but they must have been eligible to play for the club for any uninterrupted period of two years since their 15th birthday – or for a total of three consecutive years with a maximum of one loan period to a club from the same association for a period not longer than one year. Players aged 16 may be submitted if they have been registered with the club for the previous two years without interruption.

So what all of that means is that Spurs' Champions League squad is bloated and spilling over in both non-locally trained spots and association trained ones, while having only one club-trained player in goalkeeper Brandon Austin.

As they need to register four in that club-trained category, Tottenham are required to leave three spots open, meaning what should be a 25-man squad instead shrinks to just a 22-man one.

While Gallagher is a straight swap for Johnson in the association-trained category, Souza replaces Takai in the non-locally trained department. The problem is that Spurs have 21 players to fit into 17 non-locally trained spots and six association-trained players for four spots. Any association-trained players over the four allocated spots need to be fitted into the main group.

The simplest way to look at it is that with the two new signings and two departures, Spurs have 27 senior players to fit into just 21 spots, keeping Austin aside.

Mathys Tel replaced the injured Dominic Solanke in the Champions League squad for one game last month before the fit-again striker took his place back.

Now Frank must decide if Tel or others come into the squad for the last 16. Tottenham can make three changes to their squad ahead of the knockout phase, submitting their list by 11pm this Thursday, February 5.

The rules changed a couple of years ago to ensure you can add players who have already played in the group stages in any European competition so Gallagher can be added.

Frank must decide which of his long-term injured players are worth taking out because they will miss the last 16 and potentially further rounds, or whether they could just be too vital if Spurs were to progress.

With the last 16 in March, the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Ben Davies and potentially Lucas Bergvall could all miss those ties as could James Maddison as he continues his rehab after his ACL injury. There is still no return date for Dejan Kulusevski but Spurs will be hoping he is back before then, while Kevin Danso's snapped big toe ligament could keep him out for a while.

Also what of players who were previously not registered but become important again like Yves Bissouma or Radu Dragusin, while Tel and Souza will want to take part.

Remember six players cannot be registered from the group of 27 and it's unlikely Melia or Wilson take the place of a senior player so we're not including them in that number.

Here's how it all looks with the Champions League squad and Frank must decide what three changes he will make, if he uses them all:

European non-locally trained players (21 currently, 17 maximum): Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Radu Dragusin, Souza, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Joao Palhinha, Wilson Odobert, Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison, Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, Mathys Tel, Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani.

Association trained players (six currently, only four can be used in exclusive slots): Dominic Solanke, Ben Davies, James Maddison, Conor Gallagher, Djed Spence, Archie Gray.

Tottenham Hotspur have announced the signing of James Wilson from Hearts. The 18-year-old striker, who was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal earlier in the January transfer window, has joined the Lilywhites on loan until the end of the season.

football.london understand that Spurs inserted an option-to-buy clause in the deal. 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 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.

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"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 large majority of the teenager's appearances came last term, when he established himself as a regular in the starting lineup.

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 night, Derek McInnes confirmed that Arsenal were interested in signing Wilson.

"There was a conversation with Arsenal yesterday, but there’s been nothing since from Arsenal," said the Hearts boss. "I’ve heard Tottenham as well, but Tottenham have had no discussions with us directly.

"I think any player going out would have to be a benefit to the club. These sorts of things get left to Graeme Jones."

McInnes continued: " He 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 and 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, and we’ve heard nothing back from Arsenal today."

Cristian Romero has lashed out at Tottenham and called the club only having a threadbare squad 'disgraceful'.

Spurs came from behind to claim an impressive comeback against Manchester City at the weekend, with Romero having to be substituted at the break. Romero was unable to continue due to illness, but saw his side manage the unthinkable against Pep Guardiola's men.

But the Argentina international has been left disappointed by how hamstrung Thomas Frank has been by injuries, with little arriving to help the situation. James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Ben Davies, Lucas Bergvall, Richarlison, Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven, Dejan Kulusevski, Djed Spence and Kevin Danso were all absent against City.

Frank only had 11 senior stars to call upon against their Premier League rivals and five of those named on the bench had never kicked a ball in the Premier League.

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January saw last season's top scorer in Brennan Johnson depart and a central midfielder in Conor Gallagher arrive. Spurs then signed 19-year-old left-back Souza for £13million, all the while suffering injuries throughout the squad.

Frank admitted to football.london last week that his squad was now weaker than when the window. It appears Romero agrees, and, not for the first time, he has expressed his frustrations with the club.

Romero said on Instagram: "Great effort from all my teammates yesterday , they were incredible.

"I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well, especially since we only had 11 players available — unbelievable but true and disgraceful.

"We’ll keep showing up and taking responsibility to turn this around, working hard and staying together.

"All that’s left is to thank all of you for being there and for always supporting us, the fans"

Lilywhites boss Frank was impressed by his side's efforts at the weekend. "It is not easy [staying calm]," he said following Spurs' comeback.

"What I like and what I think is truly important is when your back is against the wall as a team and a group you need to fight - you can never give up. I love that never say die attitude from the players and the fans were massive for us.

"That never says die attitude which I think has been in the team. The mentality is building stronger, and stronger.

"I don't know if it was the best," he continued. "There are always big 45 minutes, but that character and mentality the players showed, we tried to install belief.

"How they went out in the second half and came back, that shows everything about the group. That never-say-die thing they have shown for a long time now but we got the result which is big."

Thomas Frank had said Tottenham would be active on transfer deadline day but nothing came to pass for the beleaguered Dane on Monday

The main aim of a club in a transfer window is to end it with a stronger squad than they began it with. Tottenham Hotspur cannot say that after their winter exploits.

Back in December, long before the window opened, football.london reported that Spurs were looking for a whole new left side with a left winger and a left-back, an upgrade in central midfield and were willing to sell Brennan Johnson and Radu Dragusin - and if the latter left then they would pursue a new centre-back. Likewise a striker would be signed if any of the front line departed.

In keeping with all of that, Tottenham bought that new left-back in £13million Souza, a 19-year-old from Santos. They bought an upgrade in midfield in Conor Gallagher for £34.6million from Atletico Madrid. They did indeed sell last season's top scorer Johnson to Crystal Palace for £35million and with Dragusin staying put, so there was no new central defender. Solanke's return and a quartet of players able to play up top meant no move for a striker.

The glaring absence was that left winger as Spurs could not get it done. In a press conference last week Thomas Frank admitted there was an ambitious but ultimately failed move for Antoine Semenyo, who decided that his chances of winning things at Manchester City were just that little bit higher.

Tottenham looked at alternatives and Frank even admitted that loan moves were an option, but the club just could not get a deal done for a winger that they felt improved the squad. The decision was made that if they could not get the players they wanted then they would wait until the summer.

That meant in essence that the club spent £13million in the transfer window, with the Gallagher and Johnson deals cancelling each other out financially.

On January 17, Spurs CEO Vinai Venkatesham wrote in a message to the fanbase: "We believe in our current squad, but must add more quality, experience, and leadership to compete consistently at the highest level. Doing so requires a more proactive approach to recruitment, alongside a wage structure that supports our ambition.

"We are fully focused on strengthening the squad in January where the right opportunities exist, while recognising that the most significant player trading activity typically comes in summer windows. Our priority is to make signings that genuinely move us forward, and we will be disciplined against that aim."

Tottenham could not find those opportunities. They did not make a single first team signing beyond the teenage Souza after that message was published in the matchday programme and on the club website.

The club had a deal agreed in principle with Liverpool for another left-back, albeit an experienced one, in Scotland captain Andy Robertson but it was dependent on Liverpool recalling Kostas Tsimikas from Roma, which did not happen.

"We are active, no doubt about that. If something happens, let's see," said Frank on Sunday night of Tottenham's deadline day plans.

Nothing came off for Spurs on deadline day. Ultimately they were not successfully active. Amid a flood of young players being sent out on loan from the club, the only arrival was James Wilson, an 18-year-old Hearts striker brought in on loan for the U21s with an option to buy him permanently. A deal sheet was submitted to the Premier League for Wilson, who is represented by the same agency as Robertson.

One can only wonder what the big fuss was about keeping sporting director Fabio Paratici until the end of the window before the Italian was allowed to return home and join Fiorentina when Spurs signed nobody from that point on. Fiorentina, in case you were wondering, signed five players including Tottenham's Manor Solomon.

With Johan Lange as well, Tottenham had two sporting directors in the transfer window and were still unable to sign more than one of those senior, experienced players they wanted for their squad. There was not a single deal in the market that would have benefitted Frank. There were plenty of cooks in the kitchen but very little came out of the oven.

The club's January window, with the difficulties in the winter market, might have been explainable and even two signings praised had the squad been in a good way with plenty of options for Frank to call upon, particularly in attack.

However, this is certainly not the case as Tottenham's squad is as much of a mess as it was a year ago. Frank has 11 injured players unavailable to him and nine of them got injured in January alone. He lost Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall and Ben Davies to long-term injuries and Richarlison for a couple of months along with more medium term injuries for Pedro Porro, Djed Spence and now Kevin Danso as well as a shorter-term one for Micky van de Ven.

In keeping with Spurs' fortunes, Kudus was ruled out for three months just days after Johnson was told he was surplus to requirements at the club and selling him to Palace.

The north London club will point to that large mass of injured players and the problems that adding more numbers to that squad will only cause in the months ahead as players come through the door.

The problem with that line of thinking is that two months is a long time in football and it's assuming Tottenham won't run into more injuries and big problems in the Premier League as their squad numbers drop. The club's Champions League last 16 match against Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray or Club Brugge comes before the long-termers will be back.

Frank admitted to football.london when we asked on Friday if the squad was weaker than when the window opened: "I think that's fair. We lost six or seven players inside three weeks in January. That's crazy, and some of them extremely unlucky, definitely Lucas and Ben with clear contact injuries. There were definitely too many. So yeah, of course it's weaker than we started with on the first of January."

Ultimately it has been another transfer window of public misses, as it was in the summer when they missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze. Frank had also wanted his former Brentford players Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard but both were set on moves to Manchester United and Arsenal respectively by that point.

Whatever reactionary plans Tottenham drew up for this winter window to help Frank as the injuries hit failed to come to pass. He must now face what comes next in the same way Ange Postecoglou did last season at this point. He might be mindful that the Spurs hierarchy were said to be unimpressed when the former Celtic boss made it clear that with his small injury-hit squad he would have to prioritise the Europa League.

The hierarchy has changed at the club but the fans are yet to see a winter window difference from the Daniel Levy era. The Lewis family injected £100million into the club in October last year but the supporters are pointing to a first window under the new regime that has seen a net spend of £13million.

It's all very well pointing to what you tried to do but this is a club that Rivaldo once sent a lovely letter to explaining why he wasn't going to join them. Failing to do what you set out to do is still ultimately failing to do it, however exciting the possibility might have been.

The pressure now falls back on Frank to make something out of the hand he has been dealt. The club made a big thing after sacking Postecoglou about wanting to compete on all fronts. Very little done on the surface since has helped that become achievable. It's a club that always seems to be looking to the future and the long term and perhaps forgetting to look straight in front at the present.

In keeping with the winter theme, it's a club that gives the impression of planning for sunny days rather than rainy ones.

Pity poor Archie Gray. The teenage midfielder spent much of last season at this point playing as a centre-back for the first time in his career to fill the gaps in the Tottenham squad and now he will spend the coming weeks as a right-back amid this year's latest edition of the Spurs injury crisis.

Spurs captain Cristian Romero posted on Instagram on Monday after the transfer window shut: "Great effort from all my teammates yesterday, they were incredible. I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well, especially since we only had 11 players available - unbelievable but true and disgraceful.

"We’ll keep showing up and taking responsibility to turn this around, working hard and staying together. All that’s left is to thank all of you for being there and for always supporting us, the fans."

Most clubs push on after winning a trophy, Tottenham Hotspur have stood still. For their sake, after a transfer window that did little to help them, they will have to hope Frank's weakened and vulnerable team doesn't slide down the table much further, otherwise the club will pay a costly price. Either way it's going to need to be one hell of a summer.

Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed a fast start to the January transfer window before taking their foot off the pedal

The January transfer window has slammed shut. Tottenham Hotspur were one of the busier clubs in the opening couple of weeks, signing Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid and Souza from Santos in the opening weeks, before pulling the handbrake.

When the Lilywhites discovered that Rodrigo Bentancur would miss the remainder of the season due to injury, Fabio Paratici, who's now expected to leave, and Johan Lange raced to sign a new midfielder. So, the co-sporting directors wrapped up a deal for the Chelsea academy graduate.

Spurs fended off strong interest from Aston Villa, who wanted to sign Gallagher on loan with an option to buy. The England international looked set to be the first of a couple big arrivals in an effort to drag Thomas Frank's side away from the relegation zone.

Tottenham signed Souza a week or so later before taking their foot off the pedal. So, with that being said, football.london has listed every player that Spurs signed and offloaded during the January transfer window.

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In

Conor Gallagher – Transferred from Atletico Madrid

Souza – Transferred from Santos

Mason Melia – Transferred from St. Patrick's Athletic

Elisha Sowunmi – Transferred from West Ham

Alfie Dorrington – Recalled from loan spell at Aberdeen

James Wilson – Loaned from Hearts with an option-to-buy clause

Joel Philbert - Transferred from Chelsea

Out

Brennan Johnson – Transferred to Crystal Palace

Kota Takai – Loaned to Borussia Monchengladbach

Min-hyeok Yang – Recalled from loan spell at Portsmouth and loaned to Coventry City

Manor Soloman – Recalled from loan spell at Villarreal and loaned to Fiorentina

Dane Scarlett – Loaned to Hibernian

Jamie Donley – Recalled from loan spell at Stoke City and loaned to Oxford United

Damola Ajayi – Recalled from loan spell at Doncaster and loaned to Bromley

Yusuf Akhamrich – Loaned to Bristol Rovers

Oliver Irow – Loaned to Mansfield Town

Herbie James – Transferred to Cardiff City

George Abbott – Recalled from loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers and loaned to Mansfield Town

Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri outlines stance on sealing permanent Marseille transfer

Ethan Nwaneri has confirmed he will return to Arsenal following the completion of his Marseille loan - but he hasn't ruled out the prospect of a permanent transfer, either. The England U21 international joined OM on loan for the remainder of the campaign last month and also netted just 13 minutes into his debut, scoring in a 3-1 victory over Lens.

Nwaneri took questions from the media at a press conference on Monday ahead of the club's French Cup Round of 16 clash against Stade Rennes. He was asked about his future, the exclusion of a buy-option clause and whether that definitely means he'll return to Arsenal, to which he replied: "Yes, that's true, anything is possible in football.

"We'll see what happens. We'll see if there's any contact. I can't tell you what will happen. We'll see when it happens."

Sandro Tonali - Tom Canton

Well, transfer deadline day really didn't deliver (yet) what many had hoped especially after Mikel Merino is out injured.

Hardly surprising considering the timing and the nature of the winter window, but Arteta did all he can to keep the interest alive.

On Tonali. Do Arsenal like the player? Well, yes, in the same way they like loads of very good players. Was there any chance of a move this window? No. Newcastle would never sell, nor could I see Arsenal affording the price. Doesn't rule out a move in the future when a move would be more feasible.

Arsenal make enquiry over Leon Goretzka

As per talkSPORT, Arsenal have enquired about the availability of Bayern Munich midfielder, Leon Goretzka. The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is set to leave his current club.

Howeverm a move for the German national at this time remains unlikely.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's time at Arsenal

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was one of the highest rated young players in European football when Arsenal signed him from Crystal Palace. In 2011, he became the youngest English goalscorer in the Champions League when he found the net in a group-stage match.

Six years later, he left to join Liverpool in a £35million deal, where he became a key midfielder for Jurgen Klopp. With the Ox potentially returning to Arsenal again, here are his key statistics at the Emirates Stadium:

Appearances - 198

Goals - 20

Assists - 28

Trophies: three FA Cups and three Community Shields

Arsenal already have ideal Mikel Merino replacement as Mikel Arteta gives cryptic response

Mikel Arteta has not ruled out signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a short-term replacement for the injured Mikel Merino. The former Gunners star has been training with the under-21s for the last few months to build up his fitness, but he did featured in a first-team session in late January.

The 32-year-old has been without a club since leaving Besiktas last summer with Arteta offering a four-word response to whether or not he is an option.

When asked about potentially offering him a contract, Arteta simply responded: "We explore every option." Oxlade-Chamberlain could be the perfect solution for Arsenal with Merino expected to miss a significant period with a foot issue in the defeat to Manchester United that requires surgery.

BREAKING: Tottenham agree deal for James Wilson

Tottenham Hotspur have won the race to sign James Wilson from Hearts.

As per Record Sport, the 18-year-old will travel to north London this afternoon to put pen to paper on a loan deal with the Lilywhites until season's end. It comes despite Arsenal holding talks with the Scottish titants for a potential loan deal of their own pertaining to the striker.

Arsenal transfer contact confirmed as manager breaks silence

Hearts manager Derek McInnes has confirmed that Arsenal have made contact with the club regarding a possible move for teenage forward James Wilson. The Gunners are looking to add more strength and firepower to the Under 21s before Monday's 7pm deadline and Wilson, 18, has been identified as a target.

The 2007-born striker is rated high at Hearts and has scored twice in 10 appearances across all competitions this season.

"Always active" says Arteta

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the Spaniard said: "We are always active in every window. We had the departure of Ethan [Nwaneri] to Marseille for the right reasons, and then the news of Mikel [Merino] was very surprising. My day will be a bit busier than usual."

Hearts boss confirms James Wilson contact

Speaking to Sky Sports Scotland about James Wilson, Derek McInnes said: "I think there was conversation with Arsenal yesterday. They called and spoke to Graeme [Jones] but there's been nothing since from Arsenal on any deal. I heard Tottenham as well, but Tottenham have had no discussions with us directly, so who knows?"

He added: "Would we see the benefit of a loan? Potentially, yes."

Arsenal signing odds

Arsenal are 13/10 to make one or more first-team signing before Monday's 7pm deadline, according to Betfair.

The Gunners are pushing to sign a replacement for Mikel Merino after the midfielder sustained a foot injury and Sandro Tonali is among those that has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta on transfers

Mikel Arteta has hinted that Arsenal could sign a replacement for Mikel Merino before Monday's 7pm transfer deadline.

Speaking in his pre-Chelsea press conferece, Arteta said: "Of course. When you lose a big player in the squad when you're in four competitions you need to do everything you can to see if someone is available. If not, we move on."

Latest Tyjon bid

According to journalist Alan Nixon, Arsenal have made their fourth bid for Blackburn Rovers young striker Igor Tyjon.

It's believed that Arsenal have offered just over £1million for a deadline day transfer. The bid is the second by the Gunners in the January transfer window.

Tyjon, 17, has made three first-team appearances for Blackburn but has attracted interest from across the Premier League.

More on Wilson

Now, the Scottish Sun have reported that James Wilson to Arsenal would be a loan to the club's Under 21s with NO option to buy.

It's viewed that the move would effectively be a trial for a youngster who is not getting regular game time at Hearts. But Arsenal's approach has sparked interest from other clubs across England and Scotland.

Wilson fee

Hearts want £8million to sanction James Wilson's proposed transfer to Arsenal before Monday's 7pm deadline, according to journalist Fraser Fletcher.

Talks are ongoing around a potential deal that could see Wilson finish the season in Scotland or include a longer loan back to Hearts.

Wilson, 18, has scored two goals in 10 appearances for the runaway Scottish Premiership leaders this season.

Arsenal midfield latest

According to The Athletic, it's far more likely that Arsenal decide against signing a direct replacement for Mikel Merino before Monday's 7pm deadline.

The Gunners are looking into potential midfield reinforcements after it was confirmed that Merino would need surgery after suffering a foot injury in last month's defeat to Manchester United.

There is an anticipation that Max Dowman could step into Merino's role until the end of the season. The club feel that the 16-year-old can make an impact on a regular basis, having made his breakthrough into the first-team back in August.

Guler tipped for Arsenal move

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Eboue has urged the Gunners to sign Arda Guler as a replacement for the injured Mikel Merino.

Eboue told Aceodds.com: "Arda Guler is a very good young player and he's played well for Real Madrid. But, the Premier League is not easy.

"If he comes to Arsenal, a team that likes to play possession football, Arda also likes that. He'd be a good fit for Arsenal but Arsenal already have a lot of midfielders.

"He has a great left foot and he can score, he can pass and Arsenal like that kind of a player."

Arsenal eye U21 signings

Arsenal are in talks with Hearts over a loan swoop for Scotland international striker James Wilson (18).

The idea would be that he'd come and provide extra power for the Gunners' U21s, who are struggling for results.

As reported by football.london, Arsenal have failed with a fresh bid for Blackburn Rovers prospect Igor Tyjon, who is a long-term target.

The offer was worth around £1m and has seen them pivot to Wilson as they are not expected to bid any higher given he's available (subject to compensation tribunal) in the summer.

There is also interest in St Mirren's teenage attacking midfielder Evan Mooney. A deal worth an initial £400k plus bonuses has been discussed.

Last minute loan signing

football.london understands Arsenal are weighing up a late loan move, with two domestic loan slots still available under Pemier League rules.

The club are also expected to assess options from overseas as the window closes. Ruben Neves is said to fit the type of experienced midfielder Arsenal admire, but at this stage he is not viewed as a realistic option.

Meanwhile, Lille talent Ayyoub Bouaddi is on their shortlist, with a full assessment planned for the end of the season.

Yan Diomande 'interest'

German outlet BILD reports that they are among several clubs showing interest in RB Leipzig prospect Yan Diomande.

Alongside Arsenal, both Liverpool and Man United are tracking the Ivorian, while Bayern Munich are also said to hold an interest. The German club are said to be growing irritated by the prospect of a bidding war with English sides, especially with Leipzig expected to seek more than £86m for Diomande. Bayern are reportedly unwilling to go that high.

Only time will reveal Diomande's next destination, but a January switch appears improbable, with a summer transfer viewed as the most likely scenario.

Nwaneri expected to stay at Marseille

Marseille club sources have confirmed to football.london that Ethan Nwaneri is due to speak at a press conference as planned this afternoon in France.

It pours further cold water on any suggestion the Gunners could yet recall the teenager following Mikel Merino's injury.

Arsenal's loan agreement does not include a break clause, anyway.

Read the full story HERE

Tottenham have beaten Arsenal in the race to sign Hearts star James Wilson, according to Daily Record. The Gunners entered talks for the 18-year-old over the weekend, as confirmed by Hearts boss Derek McInnes, but he has opted to join the Lilywhites.

He said: "I'll leave that to Graeme Jones, he is the one that deals with it. I think there was conversations with Arsenal yesterday (Sunday), they call and spoke to Graeme, but there has been nothing since from Arsenal.

"I heard about Tottenham as well but Tottenham have had no discussions with us directly, so who knows with that, it's up to Graeme Jones to deal with. But I think any player going out will have to have benefit to the club."

Arsenal appeared favourites to land his signature but it looks as though their north London rivals have stolen the jump. The latest reports out of Scotland have confirmed he is travelling down south to formalise his loan move to Spurs.

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Though Thomas Frank is lacking attacking options, the expectation is that he will head to Spurs' under-21s. Wilson has scored twice in 10 appearances for Hearts' senior team.

Minutes are the clear priority for Wilson with Lawrence Shankland, Pierre Landry Kabore and Claudio Braga currently preventing him from featuring consistently.

It is only a temporary move for Wilson with McInnes later speaking highly of him which suggests the Scottish club are not planning to sell him.

He said: "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."

It looks as though Tottenham has been chosen as the best option for the teenage striker with Arsenal making it clear they wanted to see how Wilson settled before potentially going in for a permanent deal.

However, Hearts were not so keen on that route being taken unless a sizeable fee was agreed following the end of his loan move.

One Tottenham star has been asked about his future prospects and the youngster has admitted he's been in conversation with his parent club

Mikey Moore admits he's spoken to parent club Tottenham about his future. The 18-year-old is currently on loan with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

The Spurs academy graduate became his boyhood club's youngest-ever Premier League player when he made his top-flight debut in 2024 and was shipped out on loan to Glasgow in August. There, he has made 31 appearances so far and scored three goals, including one in an Old Firm clash against rivals Celtic.

On Sunday, he was the subject of controversy after his goal that would have likely been a winner against Hibernian was ruled out for offside by VAR. The game ended 0-0 with fellow Spurs academy grad Dane Scarlett making his debut for the opposition.

Speaking at the weekend, Moore was asked whether he would make his stay in Scotland permanent come the summer and the teenager made a telling admission.

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Moore is presently set to return to north London, but he hasn't dismissed the possibility of staying with Rangers next year. He stated: "There's been nothing decided so far.

"I've spoken to people back home but they're saying focus on the rest of the season and then when the summer comes, we'll assess and see what happens next year.

"I want to play in the Champions League, it's a massive competition but it's difficult because I need to discuss it with everyone else back home. It's a collective decision. I love playing here but we'll see what happens in the summer."

Moore seems happy in Glasgow. Though he admitted last week he may need to work on a few things. He said: "To be honest, I think we needed the new signings as a team.

"It's hard, you don't want to get too comfortable so for me personally, I think I need to reflect on myself over the past two or three weeks and know that I've got higher standards than what I've hit personally.

"We've been doing really well but personally now I need to push on and now I've got to fight for my place in the team and become that person who you know is going to be playing week after week. Have I been tired lately? It's hard to put something on it. I think I just need to push myself.

"My mentality needs to be that I'm going to go into every game and try and play as well as possible. So for me, the last two weeks I don't think I've been bad but I think I've been better than what I've been.

"But there's going to be a lot of games where we're going to need someone to come up with a bit of magic and for me with my end product..I need to reflect on it truthfully and it's not been at its best so far.

"But I know that I've got big moments in me so now the big games are coming up, I think I can really push on and start showing that with my numbers."

Here's the latest news at Tottenham Hotspur as transfer deadline day reaches its final hours with various windows about to close

Tottenham are running out of time to bring in new bodies to help Thomas Frank's ailing squad before the winter transfer window closes.

Just over four hours are remaining before the window shuts across the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 at 7pm UK time and then at 10.59pm in La Liga. Tottenham currently have 11 injured players out of action and lost Cristian Romero to illness at half-time in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday, with Wilson Odobert also coming off the bench to play through sickness.

"We are active, no doubt about that. If something happens, let’s see," said Frank last night of Tottenham's deadline day plans. "[Romero] I hope is minor nothing. Micky [van de Ven] we hope is back for Man United and Djed [Spence] is hopefully not too long."

So far that activity has not resulted in any movement. Tottenham will be looking to pull something out of the bag in dramatic style even if it's a late loan to boost Frank's numbers for the short-term but the clock is ticking.

So far it has been a transfer window in which the north London club have sold last season's top scorer in Brennan Johnson and spent the money on a central midfielder in Conor Gallagher, then signed 19-year-old left-back Souza for £13million, all the while suffering injuries throughout the squad.

Frank admitted to football.london last week that his squad was now weaker than when the window opened because of the injured players that have filled up the Hotspur Way treatment room.

Let's take a look at all departments of the Tottenham squad and work out what is needed in the final hours of the window.

Goalkeepers

It was always more likely that the summer will bring change in this department rather than this winter window. Guglielmo Vicario is firmly Frank's number one but has been linked with a return to Italy with Inter Milan especially interested in a summer move.

Antonin Kinsky has been linked with a loan move out of the club since the moment he walked into Spurs from Slavia Prague last year. West Ham are among those to have enquired about the 22-year-old but there seems little point in Tottenham having him swap one bench for another this season while also giving up one of their three Champions League squad changes for the knockout rounds to a new goalkeeper.

The current cover is Brandon Austin and academy stopper Luca Gunter which is not an experienced enough duo to rely on at this point if injuries strike, which makes a Kinsky move all the more illogical before the summer.

Defence

This department looks ravaged by injury but actually it's a temporary thing right now, especially at full-back.

On the left Spurs have Destiny Udogie and Souza, named on the bench for the first time on Sunday, and Ben Davies expected to miss much if not all of the remainder of the season after his ankle surgery.

The right-hand side is currently missing Spence and Pedro Porro are expected to return from their calf and hamstring injuries respectively in the next few weeks with Archie Gray deputising in the meantime.

Tottenham are said to have made a late check on Andy Robertson's status. The Scot was an unused substitute in Liverpool's win against Newcastle after playing the full 90 minutes against Qarabag, which Spurs had agreed in principle was meant to be his final game for Arne Slot's side if they could recall Kostas Tsimikas from Roma. So far they have not been able to.

Slot has said he does not have the squad depth to lose Robertson. Much will depend on what Liverpool do in the coming hours but that seems a potential summer move again at this point.

At centre-back, the numbers are currently there with Romero and Van de Ven expected to recover to face Manchester United next weekend. The ill Spurs captain was asked by a Spanish reporter after Sunday's game outside the dressing room if he was alright and replied "I'm okay".

Radu Dragusin got his first 90 minutes in a year. Despite plenty of interest in Serie A, the Romanian looks set to remain this window barring any late new arrival especially if Frank is to play with three centre-backs for the remainder of this season.

Palhinha has also shown he can fill in at the back and it comes as Kevin Danso limped through the mixed zone after Sunday's draw. The Austria international hyperextended his big toe against Frankfurt and a ligament snapped as he landed on the foot of an opponent.

Danso is set to see a consultant next week, but Frank said "it's in a big toe, so hopefully not too worrying". There is also 17-year-old Jun'ai Byfield, who has made his Premier League and Champions League debut while impressing Frank, his staff and the Spurs players.

There is also Luka Vuskovic starring in Germany, with another top drawer goalscoring performance in the Bundesliga, this time against Bayern Munich. Spurs would be crazy to block the 18-year-old's pathway with a new permanent centre-back arrival today.

Academy centre-back Alfie Dorrington looks set to join League Two side Salford City on deadline day.

Midfield

In central midfield Spurs do also have some bodies in terms of box-to-box midfielders currently.

Conor Gallagher has joined and grabbed his first assist on Sunday for Dominic Solanke's remarkable scorpion kick goal. There is also Yves Bissouma who is heading towards the end of his contract but it's looking possible that Tottenham could take up an option in his contract to ensure they can get a summer fee for him.

They are currently being used in other roles but there is also Joao Palhinha and Archie Gray, as well as Pape Matar Sarr, who is back from the Africa Cup of Nations and impressed in the second half against City.

Frank will also get Lucas Bergvall, Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison back eventually before the campaign comes to an end, with all three expected back from April onwards.

Lucas Paqueta claimed that Tottenham made an attempt to sign him before his move to Flamengo and a progressive playmaker style of midfielder is the one that Spurs could do with more cover in to provide cover for Xavi Simons, but there is also Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski to return.

It would have to be a great opportunity for the club to bolster a reasonably stocked department right now in the final hours of the window with priorities further up the pitch.

In the academy midfielder George Abbott is expected to make the move to League One side Mansfield Town on loan.

Attack

Frank has repeatedly admitted his bench is not strong enough with attacking options to create and get goals. Just a couple more absences would see that bench packed with academy youngsters instead of senior stars

Tottenham have looked at attacking players such as the injured Savinho, Omar Marmoush and Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche among others with a fleeting glance at the versatile 21-year-old Brazilian Angelo, who was at Chelsea but is now at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and is part of the same agency that represents Souza.

Akliouche makes a lot of sense for Tottenham but is not expected to join the club on Monday.

The 23-year-old, who has just over two years left on his contract, is seen as a good professional behind the scenes and would fit perfectly into the right-sided number 10 role in Frank's newly-installed 3-4-3 formation.

The Frenchman scored against Rennes on Saturday and was seen as a potential alternative to Xavi in the summer but would have brought a presence down the right in Mohammed Kudus' absence and replace the outgoing Johnson and join the French contingent at the club with the likes of Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel.

football.london reported earlier this month that Monaco were preparing for Akliouche's potential departure either this month or in the summer by looking for replacements. They are set to sign Simon Adingra from Sunderland and although the Ivory Coast winger plays mainly on the left, he can also do a job on the right.

However, those inside both Tottenham and Monaco have at this point ruled out the chances of Akliouche joining Spurs today.

Jhon Duran has been offered here, there and everywhere to Premier League teams in recent weeks, but a late move to Spurs has been dismissed by those within the club as has one for Al-Ittihad winger Moussa Diaby or free agent Raheem Sterling.

Spurs do have a number of strikers at the moment in Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani and Tel, with Richarlison set to return from his hamstring injury in the next couple of weeks. It is the winger and playmaker slots where Frank is particularly short.

In terms of younger strikers, football.london understands that Mason Melia will remain around the first team set-up while playing occasionally for the U21s rather than heading out on loan as he looks to return soon from the minor back issue he arrived from St Patrick's Athletic with.

Dane Scarlett has left on loan for Hibernian and Spurs are believed to be rivalling Arsenal to try to sign another 18-year-old striker in James Wilson from Hearts, who has made 45 senior appearances but would be involved in the U21s set-up for now if he were to join Tottenham.

Frank and the Tottenham fans want senior arrivals though and the Dane wants only those of the required quality.

He admitted ahead of the City draw that while he does not want permanent stop-gap signings, loan moves are not out of the question to plug the gaps in his squad. The club will be wary of having a huge bloated squad when all the long-term injury absentees in April and May and a temporary loan move helps that situation, albeit not with those messy Champions League squad places with only three changes able to be made.

Time is running out though to bring in a new face or two to help Frank's attack.