The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed they are in talks with England youth defender Tariq Lamptey over a nationality switch.
Tariq, who graduated from Chelsea academy, joined Brighton in January and has made the headlines following his explosive performance.
Following C.K. Akonnor’s appointment as Black Stars coach, the former Asante Kotoko trainer assured that he will build his team around European born Ghanaian players.
However, Tariq has represented England at various youth levels and the West Africans must go through a stipulated FIFA process to enable him to switch his nationality.
Kurt Okraku, who is the president of the FA, has confirmed talks have been intensified to get the highly-rated right-back to switch nationality to the African giants.
“The national teams are for Ghanaians. It doesn’t mean only those who reside in Ghana alone but for every Ghanaian across the world for which reason it will be suicidal for us not to search everywhere in the world to find the right talents for Ghana. If we find the talent and the coach is pleased we need to bring that talent,” Mr Okraku told Kumasi based FOX FM.
We are working closely at every big talent you may have seen on your screens and those you have not. But we must also understand the atmosphere around some of those players. Some are classified.
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“Someone like Tariq Lamptey we have been speaking to his family to make sure that having identified him as a top talent we will bring him to represent our county. In the same vein, other people are also talking to him and his family to represent another country.
“It doesn’t come so quick and easy. We are following every top Ghanaian talent you may have seen on your screens and those you may not have seen.
“I have not seen Jamie before but he’s coming for us to take a go at him from close range so we are leaving no stone unturned.
“We have immediate battles to win and then of the future and we need to take care of both battles. And the players the coach believes will represent our interest for the immediate battle are the ones he’s inviting.”
Born to Ghanaian parents in London, the exciting youngster has caught the attention of Ghana football officials with a streak of fine performances at club level.
Tariq has represented the European country at Under-18, 19, 20 and 21.