Story byPhoto by Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesAaditya KrishnamurthyMon, February 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM UTC·1 min readTottenham Hotspur have beaten Arsenal to the signing of James Wilson after reaching an agreement with Hearts. The 18-year-old striker had been on the radar of both north London clubs as the transfer window neared its close. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementConfirmation has now arrived that Spurs have come out on top in a rapidly heated battle with their North London rivals. Photo by Malcolm Mackenzie/Getty ImagesTottenham agree James Wilson deal with HeartsTottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal with Hearts that will see James Wilson join on loan, with an option to buy included. Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reported that the deal is now in place, the medical is underway and formalities are expected to follow soon. Arsenal had been in talks with Hearts but were only offering Wilson a trial rather than a guaranteed loan. The move signals a clear commitment to Wilson as part of Tottenham’s long-term plans. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementArsenal miss out after trial proposalTottenham’s willingness to include a buy option appears to have been the decisive factor, allowing them to hijack the move. Arsenal were seemingly only willing to offer a trial to Wilson, and Spurs’ willingness to add an option to buy to their guaranteed loan seems to have tipped the scales in their favour. Wilson isn’t expected to immediately feature for Tottenham, but will be a future prospect for them in the years to come. With the medical now taking place, Wilson is set to continue his development in north London after Spurs moved quickly to finalise the transfer. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRead more:Tottenham looking to hijack Arsenal’s loan move for exciting Scottish star James WilsonTottenham vs. Manchester City preview, kick-off time, how to watch, and team newsRoma’s Kostas Tsimikas decision clears up Andy Robertson’s Liverpool future.