Eddie Nketiah and Tariq Lamptey close to switching international allegiance

Simon Lloyd

Nketiah and Lamptey appear set to turn their backs on England

England duo Eddie Nketiah and Tariq Lamptey are reportedly close to being granted permission by FIFA to represent Ghana at senior level, despite both playing for Three Lions youth teams.

Ghana’s FA recently appointed Chris Hughton as their technical director and have been in talks with the London-born pair about a possible switch of international allegiance.

Nketiah and Lamptey could play for Ghana at World Cup

Now, according to GhanaSoccernet.com, clearance from FIFA for them to make the switch could come as soon as next week, meaning both players would be eligible to represent the African nation at the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Like Nketiah and Lamptey, Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi is also thought to be on the brink of being able to play for the Black Stars.

The same report adds, however, that it is proving more complicated to process his switch in nationality after he made three appearances for England’s senior side – the last coming in 2019.

Athletic Bilbao’s Iñaki Williams is also thought to be in the process of becoming a Ghanaian international having earned one cap for Spain.

Arsenal forward Nketiah has managed 16 goals in 17 appearances for England’s Under-21s – a record – but has yet to be given a chance to step up to Gareth Southgate’s side.

Lee Carsley on Lamptey’s international future

Brighton’s Lamptey played for the Under-21s as recently as March, but rejected a call-up for the recent European Championship qualifiers.

“He’s asked to be left out of the squad for a bit of head space,” manager Lee Carsley said at the time.

“He’s not switched, it’s not cemented or anything like that but he’s had an approach, we respect that.

“We’ve made it clear how important we see him to us. I know the senior team has as well. Tariq is fully aware of how important we see him – I have rung him every day!

“I probably shouldn’t have, I probably pushed him. You can only make it clear so many times. He knows where we stand with him. We respect he’s got a decision to make.”