Leeds United transfer update as contract signing is announced in race for Aston Villa and Celtic target James Wilson at Hearts
Leeds United have missed out on signing Hearts teenager James Wilson after the youngster agreed a two-year extension in Edinburgh, the club have announced.
The Whites were reported to be at the head of a wide race to sign the 16-year-old [Daily Record, 1 April] with the likes of Manchester United and both Old Firm giants Rangers and Celtic [The National, 28 April] also interested.
The Daily Record had reported that the Jambos had “reluctantly accepted they would lose” the young forward, but despite further interest from the Premier League including a late push from Aston Villa [Mail, 17 April], the Scot is staying at Tynecastle.
Hearts announced on Friday (28 April): “We are delighted to announce talented teenager James Wilson has agreed a two-year contract at Tynecastle, with the option of a further year.”
Snub
It is a surprise that Leeds United have missed out on the talented teenager after looking like they’d won the race, but an even bigger one that he isn’t going anywhere at all.
The news may come as a boost to SPFL sides in general, including Rangers and Celtic even if they have both missed out here, as top Scottish youngsters leaving for Premier League academies is necessarily a drain on the talent pool north of the border.
It is some coup to fend off interest from both Glasgow giants and big sides in the English top flight to keep hold of a young player, so Hearts have somehow played it perfectly.
The Whites have made a habit of adding exciting attackers to the Thorp Arch set up over the past couple of seasons, but the ongoing uncertainty in the senior side may have played a role in this chase after apparently getting so close to an agreement.
Attention may well now turn to another youngster who is thought to be on the brink of a Leeds United deal in Barcelona’s Ilias Akhomach, as final confirmation has still not arrived on his destination after leaving Catalonia.
It is clearly a disappointment for the Whites to miss out on Wilson at this stage, but for players as young as 16 it is as much up to the family at times as it is just the player so things are not always straight forward.
In other Leeds United news, the club have emerged as the only side prepared to match the wage demands of an exit-bound ace at a European giant.