Marca report that Julen Lopetegui is trying to persuade defender Aymeric Laporte to play for Spain rather than France.
The Athletic player is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders and is reported to have turned down offers to sign for both Manchester City and Barcelona.
However, he is still yet to receive a full international call-up from the country of his birth.
Though it was injury rather than being overlooked that ended the 22-year-old’s chances of being part of Didier Deschamps’ squad for Euro 2016, this will not stop the new La Roja Coach from trying to tempt Laporte to turn his back on France.
Laporte has captained Les Bleus U21 team, but the fact he moved to Spain as a teenager means he qualifies to play for La Roja too.
The centre-back is said to still favour France but was again left out of Deschamps’ squad for the upcoming matches against Italy and Belarus, meaning the door is still open for Lopetegui to make a move.
Former Spain Coach Vicente Del Bosque is also said to have tried to tempt Laporte to switch allegiances, but was unsuccessful.
