It has emerged that France-born Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte could represent Spain at this summer’s European Championship.
Spain boss Luis Enrique asked the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) directors to look into the possibility of calling up the former France under-21 international a few weeks ago.
The player himself was keen and work began to ready the necessary paperwork to allow Spain to call up Laporte on May 21.
The RFEF are still awaiting final confirmation from FIFA, but at this stage it is believed to be merely a formality.
Laporte was born in Agen, France and joined Athletic Club as a teenager, spending eight years in Bilbao before joining Manchester City for 65 million euros.
The 26-year-old has represented his country of birth at various youth levels but never the first team, and national team coach Didier Deschamps has made it clear he is not in his plans.
La Roja, meanwhile, have had an interest in Laporte since at least 2016, when Julen Lopetegui was head coach, and he could finally pull on a Spain shirt this summer.
The Manchester City player’s Spanish nationalisation has been approved and will be officially confirmed on Wednesday.
As far as MARCA is aware, there are no barriers to Laporte changing allegiance and he will become another option for Luis Enrique at Euro 2020, along with Sergio Ramos, Eric Garcia, Pau Torres and Inigo Martinez.
