GFA confirm talks with Tariq Lamptey over nationality switch

The Ghana's Football Association (GFA) have confirmed their preparedness to persuade Tariq Lamptey to switch international allegiance from England to represent the Black Stars.

The 20-year-old recently revealed that he is yet to decide whether he will play for England or Ghana after representing the former at Under 18, U19, U20 and U21 levels.

Brighton's rising star is eligible to play for Ghana through his parents and the Ghana FA have confirmed their aim to convince him to have a change of heart.

“We are following every top Ghanaian talent you may have seen on your screens,' Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku said, as reported by The Sun.

“Someone like Tariq Lamptey. We have been speaking with his family, to make sure that having identified him as a top talent we will bring him to represent our country.

“In the same vein, other people are also talking to him and his family to represent another country [England].

“The national teams are for Ghanaians. It doesn't mean only those who reside in Ghana, but every Ghanaian across the world.

“For which reason it would be suicidal for us not to search everywhere in the world to find the right talents for Ghana.”

Lamptey would have to play in a competitive game for Gareth Southgate's Three Lions side to tie down his international allegiance.

The youngster has impressed this season, scoring one goal and supplying three assists in seven matches, following his £3million move from Chelsea back in January.

However England have several high-quality options at right back and Lamptey would find himself competing against Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Reece James, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier.   

Southgate revealed Lamptey will be in the England U21s squad for the upcoming international break. He said: “Tariq is doing really well and I am pretty sure he will be in the U21s. Reece's [James] game has progressed really well and we want him with us.”