Bentaleb may will be on the move…

Tottenham Hotspur are said to be contemplating the prospect of loaning midfield misfit Nabil Bentaleb to Portuguese side SL Benfica, according to the country’s publication The Record.

The move comes in the wake of Bentaleb’s exclusion from the Spurs squad that has travelled to Australia for the club’s pre-season tour.

Bentaleb made just five league appearances last season as injuries and bad form hampered the midfielder’s progress from a brilliant 2014–15 campaign.

Despite being linked to a move away, there is still hope that there is a Lilywhite future for the 21 year old Algerian, having penned a five year contract just last summer.

If a loan move to Benfica does materialise then it could prove a valuable opportunity for the talented youngster to rebuild his form away from the intense scrutinisation of the Premier League.

Many fans feel that the midfielder’s relatively tender age and excellent form during Pochettino’s first season are indicators that he should be given a fair crack to prove his worth to the squad, especially as he is a graduate of the club’s academy.

Benfica claimed the Portuguese Liga title last season, meaning Bentaleb would be presented with the opportunity to play in next season’s Champions League.

Benfica lost the super-talented 18 year old Renato Sanches to Bayern Munich this summer, in a deal that could rise to an eye-watering €80 million and the loan capture of Nabil Bentaleb would arguably prove a shrewd short-term replacement.

Written by Joe Thomas