Premier League

Bentaleb retained by Tottenham

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Image for Bentaleb retained by Tottenham

Nabil Bentaleb has been named on the official list of Tottenham retained players for the 2017-18 season, it was announced on Friday.

The Premier League published the retained list of each top flight squad from the recently completed season as each club confirmed the players that will stay and those who have been released.

Intriguingly, Bentaleb is on Spurs’ roster even though they announced on their official Twitter account in February that they had reached an agreement with Schalke for the midfielder to join the Bundesliga club on a permanent basis this summer.

The 22-year-old subsequently took to social media to express his delight at securing a move following a successful loan spell in which he has proven himself in a new playmaker role.

The Algeria international claimed on his personal Twitter account he looked forward to “new beginnings” at Schalke and offered his “thanks to everyone at the club” for their faith placed in him.

It appears there could have been a hitch in the transfer but it is more likely that Bentaleb has simply been retained for a short period until his registration is officially passed to Schalke.

The Premier League state on their website that the retained list is correct as of 29 May and that “a player’s status may have changed since that date”.

Bentaleb joined Schalke last summer on a season-long loan but Sky Sports reported earlier in February that the deal included a clause that he could move permanently for £16million if he played in 20 league matches for the club.

The Algerian reached that total in a 1-1 winter draw with Cologne and Spurs moved to confirm his exit after the landmark was triggered.

Bentaleb initially move to Tottenham in January 2012 after having a trial with fellow English side Birmingham.

He made his debut for the club in 2013 and went on to play in 66 matches for the north London side, establishing himself under ex-manager Tim Sherwood before Mauricio Pochettino made him a regular in central midfield in his first season at the club.

But Bentaleb slipped down the pecking order last season amid question marks about his attitude and played his last game for Spurs in the middle of last season.

His future now lies with Schalke, where he provided seven goals and six assists in 44 matches in the recently completed domestic season.

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