Sources: James Wilson heads to Aston Villa as Leeds United deal’s hijacked
Aston Villa are working on hijacking Leeds United’s deal for Hearts sensation James Wilson, sources have told Football Insider.
Leeds have been leading the chase to sign the Scotland Under-16s captain at the end of the season amid big doubts over his future.
Wilson is regarded as one of the best prospects to have come out of Tynecastle for years and Hearts have offered him a three-year deal to stay in the capital.
Villa have now moved to lure the striker, 16, to Villa Park as they look to beat their Premier League rivals to a deal.
Wilson is understood to have visited Villa over the weekend for talks and to view the club’s facilities and their Bodymoor Heath training headquarters.
The Midlands giants won the race to sign another Scottish rising star last summer when they beat multiple top Premier League clubs to the signing of Rory Wilson from Rangers.
The prolific striker moved to Villa after netting 49 goals at youth level during a sensational season with the Light Blues.
The starlet has netted an impressive 11 goals in 17 appearances at youth level so far this season for the Villans.
Wilson initially linked up with Villa’s Under-18s, netting four goals in six appearances, and his form earned the striker promotion to the Under-21s.
The former Rangers youngster has scored four goals in seven English Premier League 2 games.
Like his 17-year-old namesake, James Wilson is regarded as one of the best players in his age group in Scotland.
He has already scored for his country at Under-16 level and is regarded as a player capable of playing in the Premier League.
Villa also swooped last year to sign Ewan Simpson from Hearts, who received a six-figure compensation fee for the young midfielder.
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