Laporte: My heart belongs to France but I could switch to Spain

Aymeric Laporte has reiterated his desire to represent France at senior level but admitted that he cannot rule out declaring for Spain.

The Athletic Bilbao centre-back was born in Agen but while he has regularly lined out for his homeland's Under-21s, he has yet be capped by the senior side.

It was thought that France boss Deschamps might draft Laporte into his squad for this month's friendlies with Germany and England due to the injury-enforced withdrawal of Mamadou Sakho, but the World Cup winner instead decided to call upon the services of Saint-Etienne's Loic Perrin.

Laporte promptly tweeted, "Anyway...", which was perceived by certain sections of the press as a public display of disappointment at the alleged snub, but Laporte insists otherwise, claiming the post was aimed at nobody in particular.

However, the defender, who is eligible to play for Spain, did admit that he would give serious thought to defecting should Roja coach Vincent Del Bosque offer him the chance to play at Euro 2016.

"There's been lots of talk on social networks," he told RMC. "It wasn't at anyone, not the national team, Deschamps, or Perrin. I don't have to justify myself in public.

"For now, no [Spain cannot tempt me]. As I said a few months ago, in the last U-21 game, I announced it.

"I want to progress, to make the next step. I have to keep working, but if the opportunity presents itself, I'll have to make a choice.

"The French team is where my heart is, it's where I was born. But if they don't give me a choice, I'd make a decision as a World Cup or Euro is important to a footballer."