Tottenham expect Schalke will buy midfielder Nabil Bentaleb on a permanent basis for £16m in the summer.
Bentaleb is currently on a season-long loan at Schalke after falling out of favour under Maurico Pochettino at White Hart Lane.
It has been reported in Germany that his appearance in the Bundesliga club's 1-1 draw against FC Koln yesterday, triggered an option in the deal between the two clubs that will ensure a £16m transfer goes ahead at the end of the campaign.
Neither side has confirmed this is the case, but it is understood Spurs are prepared for his departure in the close season.
The Algeria international has impressed at Schalke, where he has played 26 times, scoring four goals and making four assists.
He joined Tottenham's Academy at the age of 17 in 2012 and made his professional debut a year later.
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Bentaleb, whose contract runs out in 2020, has played 66 games for Spurs, the last of which was against Fiorentina 12 months ago.
