Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte isn’t ruling out switching international allegiance to Spain despite being captain of the France Under-21 side.
Laporte is quoted by AS from an appearance on Radio Euskadi as taking a diplomatic stance when the subject was raised, having not yet debuted for the senior Les Bleus side.
“I’ve said that my bet is France and if the Coach relies on me, then there’s no doubt,” he began.
“But that option hasn’t been taken. Euro 2016 is very important and it doesn’t happen every day. Now it’s necessary to mature and see what happens.”
AS add that the subject is a topical one as Giannelli Imbula is currently weighing up the choice of Belgium or France.
Spain have previously tried to get Laporte in their colours, at youth level, AS note, but the centre-back chose to represent his homeland, though he qualifies for La Roja as well.
Laporte was also asked about his future at club level and insisted he was more concerned with taking trophies to San Mames than finding a way out.
“My name is mentioned in every transfer window and with a lot of teams,” he acknowledged.
“I’ve renewed four times with Athletic. I’ve done what I wanted, I’ve shown confidence in the club and them in me.
“Let’s see if we can add more trophies. I want something bigger than the Supercopa de Espana and to get out La Gabarra [Athletic’s celebratory barge], the most beautiful in Bilbao.”
