Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb is nearing a White Hart Lane exit after Bundesliga outfit Schalke placed a new and improved bid for the youngster, according to French publication Foot Mercato.
The Algeria international, 21, has become an increasingly peripheral figure since Mauricio Pochettino's arrival at White Hart Lane back in 2014. After making 26 Premier League appearances in the Argentine's debut season, a mixture of poor form and injuries limited him to just five appearances last season.
He has beentraining with the U21 squad for some time nowand only featured sparingly in Spurs' pre-season tour this summer. Perhaps an indication to his future at White Hart Lane, Bentaleb has had his first team number of '6' stripped from him and replaced with the number '42'- his first when he joined the club back in 2012.
He signed a new five-year contract last summer in recognition of his performances, but after being restricted to the bench for large parts of the season, the 21-year-old is reportedly free to leave North London- provided Spurs' valuation is met.
Bundesliga side Schalke are understood to have made a £10m bid for the Algerian, but that offer was rejected over the weekend. Reports suggest the North London club are demanding £15m for the midfielder.
And according to Foot Mercato, Schalke have responded to those demands and placed an improved offer on Sunday, with Bentaleb now appearing to be on his way to the Veltins Arena after four-years at Tottenham.
Spurs, meanwhile, are welcoming Liverpool to White Hart Lane this weekend after kick-starting their season with a narrow 1-0 win over London-rivals Crystal Palace last Saturday.