Tottenham Hotspur's reported interest in Schalke 04 defender Benedikt Howedes has been dealt a blow after chairman Clemens Toennies claimed no deal had been struck.

The 27-year-old Germany international was rumoured to have agreed a switch to White Hart Lane ahead of the summer transfer window.

However, Tonnies has spoken out to deny a deal is in place which would see the World Cup winner joined Mauricio Pochettino's side when the season ends.

He told Sport1: "I am very close to Benedikt Howedes and if there was anything in it, then I would be the first to know about it.

"I won’t assume that anything has been agreed," he added.

Howedes has made 23 Bundesliga appearances for fifth-placed Schalke this season, the club he has spent his entire professional career with.

The 6ft 2in centre-back has won 32 full caps for Germany since making his debut in 2011 and played seven times as die Mannschaft won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.