TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR midfielder Nabil Bentaleb will join Schalke on a permanent deal in the summer.

The Algerian international is currently on a season-long loan spell with the Bundesliga club and has impressed in his 27 appearances.

4 The 22-yea-old has become a star playing in the Bundesliga this season and will make his loan switch permanent in the summer Credit: Reuters

4 He has played over 60 times for the North Londoners but has failed to impress boss Maurico Pochettino Credit: PA:Press Association

He has agreed a four-year deal with the Gelsenkirchen side in an undisclosed fee, although the transfer is estimated to be in the region of £16million.

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It has been reported that if the 22-year-old started against Cologne last weekend that the German team would have to sign him after an agreement in the loan clause.

He was a regular under Tim Sherwood at White Hart Lane and featured 66 times over the course of three seasons, but netted just once - in a league cup win against Newcastle United.

4 It has been reported that Schalke had to sign him after he started his 18th Bundesliga match against Cologne last week Credit: Getty Images

4 After scoring just once in three seasons, the Algerian is now leaving England for good after an agreement has been reached Credit: Action Images

Spurs tweeted on their official account: "We have reached agreement with Schalke for the permanent transfer of Nabil Bentaleb this summer.

"We wish Nabil all the best for the future."

His contract at Tottenham was due to expire in 2020, but his last game came against Fiorentina in the Europa League last year.

He has scored five teams for the Royal Blues this campaign and has chipped in with four assists.