The Tottenham Hotspur player is currently on loan at Schalke.
According to a report from German newspaper Bild, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Nabil Bentaleb is just one league appearance away from triggering a £16.1million move to Schalke.
The Algeria international is currently on loan with the Bundesliga side but the upcoming clash with Cologne could see a permanent move sanctioned if Bentaleb features.
That would signal his 20th league appearance since leaving White Hart Lane last summer, and given his relatively good form to date Schalke will surely be happy to complete a deal for a player who could yet grow into an excellent midfielder.
Still only 22, Bentaleb has scored five goals and provided five assists for the German club to date, and there remain some Tottenham fans that feel it would be a mistake to wave goodbye to the player despite some disappointing appearances in a Spurs shirt after an initially promising breakthrough.
That said, Tottenham have plenty of midfield options still at the club and they may be happier with the money, enabling them to reinvest it and hopefully sign a striker who can finally ease the pressure on Harry Kane.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
