Who is James Wilson? Why Arsenal are signing Hearts striker on deadline-day loan deal

Deadline day in February 2026 has proven a fairly quiet one for Premier League teams.

One of the few showing signs of activity is Arsenal, who have been linked with a handful of moves as they aim to put themselves in as strong a position as possible to sustain the fight for four trophies.

One of those potential deals is a little surprising.

According to widespread rumours on February 2, following an initial report by Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are attempting to sign 18-year-old striker James Wilson from Scottish league leaders Hearts. The deal will likely see him move to north London on loan before potentially making the switch permanently later this year.

So, who is the youngster, and why are Arsenal signing him?

MORE: When Mikel Merino is likely to return for Arsenal from foot injury

Who is Hearts striker James Wilson?

Wilson, who was born in March 2007, is a striker who has progressed through the Hearts’ youth academy. His younger twin brothers, Alfie and Stanley, are also on the books of the Edinburgh club.

The right place the right time

James Wilson @loveholidays // #loveholidays pic.twitter.com/0zWjbsiDiI

— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) July 13, 2025

Wilson made his senior Hearts debut at just 16 years old in a Scottish Cup game in January 2024. In December that year, he set a new record for the youngest goal-scorer in the UEFA Conference League when he scored against Petrocub Hincesti at the age of 17 years and 288 days. He signed a new contract until summer 2027 later that month.

The forward has made 10 appearances for Hearts in 2025/26 as of February 2, scoring two goals. He is mostly used as a substitute for the Premiership title hopefuls, with Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga their preferred options in attack.

Wilson has one senior cap for Scotland, which he earned against Greece back in March 2025. At 18 years and 17 days old, he became the youngest man ever to play for the Tartan Army senior team.

MORE: Hearts aiming to end Celtic and Rangers’ 40-year stranglehold in Scotland

Why do Arsenal want to sign James Wilson?

Arsenal reportedly began talks with Hearts over a loan deal for Wilson until the end of the season on deadline day.

This might sound like a strange move to push through at the end of the transfer window, particularly with Mikel Merino’s injury prompting speculation that the Gunners will look for emergency cover in midfield.

According to reports, including from The Herald, Arsenal want to bring Wilson in on loan for the remainder of 2025/26, with a view to a potential permanent transfer come the end of the season. The suggestion is the forward would spend his initial four months or so playing for the Arsenal Under-21s in the Premier League 2.

This indicates that the Premier League leaders see him as a potential player for the future, but given Wilson has reportedly attracted interest from other English top-flight clubs in the past, the Gunners appear eager to strike a deal swiftly. It seems unlikely he will feature in Mikel Arteta’s first team any time soon, but should he impress for the U-21s, his chance could come in 2026/27.

Did Hearts’ James Wilson play for Man United?

James Wilson of Hearts is a different player to the former Manchester United striker of the same name.

James Anthony Wilson, a former England youth international, is a 30-year-old forward currently playing for Northampton Town in League One of the EFL.

Wilson progressed through Man United’s academy and enjoyed a famous debut for the first team, scoring twice in a 3-1 win over Hull City in May 2014 under interim manager Ryan Giggs.

He also played in Scotland’s top flight, spending two years with Aberdeen before returning to England with Salford City in 2020.

James Wilson Hearts stats

Wilson has played 45 senior games for Hearts, despite his young age. He has scored eight goals in that time.

Will James Wilson play for Scotland at the World Cup?

Wilson’s first and only appearance for Scotland came in March 2025. He was not in the squad for the decisive World Cup qualifiers last November.

It seems unlikely at this stage that he will be included in Steve Clarke’s final roster for the 2026 tournament in North America, but it is not out of the question, particularly given Shankland’s injury problems.

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