The truth behind Tottenham’s transfer deadline day hijack of Arsenal target
Tottenham secured some transfer deadline day bragging rights over bitter rivals Arsenal.
This season has proven to be a difficult one for Spurs so far, with Thomas Frank at risk of being sacked, especially if a couple of further bad results come their way.
If they are not careful, Tottenham could be dragged into a relegation fight, with Spurs just three points above 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, while 18th-positioned West Ham are nine points back.
Tottenham have a raft of serious injuries to contend with this season, which is contributing to their underwhelming Premier League campaign.
And while Arsenal sit top of the Premier League, Tottenham are 14th, but the Lilywhites still got one over on their fierce adversaries on the final day of the winter transfer window.
How Tottenham beat Arsenal to James Wilson’s signature
As the winter window wound down, Tottenham managed to sign Hearts starlet James Wilson on loan with an option to make the move permanent this summer.
The teenager striker, who became Hearts’ youngest ever European goalscorer in December 2024 when he netted against FC Petrocub in the Conference League, will link up with Tottenham’s Under-21 squad.
This came after Hearts boss Derek McInnes confirmed on Monday that Arsenal had been in talks with the 18-year-old over a deal.
Wilson has been prolific at youth level, in addition to scoring eight goals in 45 senior appearances for the current Scottish Premiership leaders.
But for a while, it seemed Arsenal would win the race for his signature. However, according to The Standard, the Gunners’ offer wasn’t tempting enough.
The report states that Arsenal were only prepared to effectively offer a six-month trial before making a decision on Wilson, allowing Tottenham to jump in.
Spurs, on the other hand, offered him a loan deal, with an option to buy, at a team where there is likely to be a clearer pathway to the first team.
Wilson scored six goals in 33 appearances last season for Hearts but has played just once this term.
So a Tottenham breakthrough is unlikely, but he may have a better chance of achieving that there than at Arsenal, who are one of the best teams in the world right now.
- Read more: Tottenham accused of ‘gross mismanagement’ and ‘negligence’ as Arsenal seal multi-million signing
New signings may not save injury-hit Tottenham’s season
Much of the positivity from last summer, following Frank’s appointment, has evaporated as the season enters February.
Spurs have looked very underwhelming at times, with only their Champions League last-16 qualification a highlight so far.
Their cause has not been helped, however, by a raft of injuries. In their comeback 2-2 draw against Manchester City on Sunday, they were without nine players.
After the match, the ill Cristian Romero pointed this out on social media, saying: “Great effort from all my team-mates 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.“
At present, Tottenham are without James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison, Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies, Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pedro Porro, and Djed Spence.
Maddison and Kulusevski have been absent for the entire campaign, with Spurs really missing their respective creativity and running power.
Kudus and Bentancur could be out for months, and the others may not return soon.
Tottenham will have to hope the likes of Gallagher, Souza, and more can work wonders in the second half of the season. If not, Frank could be in trouble.