Schalke 04 'agree loan deal for Nabil Bentaleb'

Schalke 04 have reportedly agreed a deal to take Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Nabil Bentaleb on loan for the 2016-17 season.

The 21-year-old was considered a key member of the Spurs side during Mauricio Pochettino's first season in charge, but he made just two Premier League starts throughout the 2015-16 campaign.

The Algeria international has been knocked further down the pecking order by the summer arrival of Victor Wanyama, with the likes of Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele also ahead of Bentaleb.

French newspaper L'Equipe now reports that Spurs have come to an agreement with Schalke over a loan move that will also give the Bundesliga outfit the possibility to make the switch permanent.

Bentaleb only signed a new five-year deal at White Hart Lane last summer.