Nabil Bentaleb has insisted he respects Tottenham Hotspur and their supporters but says he had to join Schalke on loan to play more football.
Bentaleb, 21, joined Schalke on a season-long loan in August and reports in Germany have suggested the German club have already agreed in principle to sign him permanently for €19 million next summer.
Last month, Bentaleb appeared to criticise Tottenham fans, telling Bild : "If you lose there, nobody supports you in the stadium."
But in a new interview with The Set Pieces, Bentaleb said: "I have so much respect for the Tottenham supporters.