Schalke 04 boss Clemens Toennies plans to sign Real Madrid's Germany midfielder Sami Khedira for next season and doubts reports defender Benedikt Hoewedes will join Tottenham Hotspur.

"I have a big opinion of Sami Khedira, because he is a leader and can encourage a team," Schalke's executive chairman Toennies told German broadcaster Sport1.

"He is incredibly well-regarded in the national team and we have talked several times.

"Now it's the task of (Schalke team manager) Horst Heldt and his advisers to find an acceptable solution."

Khedira is one of Real Madrid's top earners and his contract expires at the end of the season.

He confirmed last month that he will leave the Spanish giants at the end of the current campaign, but has not revealed his plans.

Toennies also poured doubt on UK media reports that Germany defender and Schalke captain Hoewedes is set to leave for Spurs next season.

"I am very close to Benedikt Hoewedes and if there was anything in it, then I would be the first to know about it," said Toennies.

"I won't assume that anything has been agreed."

Having spent his entire career at Schalke, the 27-year-old Hoewedes has a release clause in his contract, which expires in June 2017, and has also been linked to Spurs' North London rivals Arsenal.