Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte could switch his international allegiance to Spain after being snubbed for the 2018 World Cup by his native France.The 24-year old has spent the bulk of his career in Spain, where he prominently featured for Athletic Bilbao before signing for City in January but has struggled to make the France squad and hasn’t played a competitive game for Les Bleus.And following their disastrous showing at the World Cup in Russia and with first-choice defensive duo – Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique – nearing the end of their careers, Spain are keen to hand a debut to Laporte, according to reports.
Manchester Evening News report that Spain’s ageing squad — not least at centre back, with Pique and Ramos unlikely to still be first choice by 2022 — means they are on the lookout for alternatives.Laporte remains an option, despite having represented France at youth level all the way up to 19 caps for the Under 21s.Despite being the world’s second most expensive defender after joining City from Athletic Bilbao last January for £57million, Laporte has never made a senior international appearance.He was called up to the France squad for two World Cup qualifiers but never made an appearance, meaning his eligibility for Spain still stands.