A Huawei employee in the UK has apparently confirmed that the company is indeed working with Google on a Nexus smartphone.

Recent rumors have indicated that Google is planning not one, but two new Nexus smartphones for 2015. So far, Google has collaborated with several companies for its Nexus lineup of devices, but never launched two devices in the same category the same year.

On the smartphone front, the company previously teamed up with HTC, Samsung, LG and Motorola, and 2015 will apparently see a renewed collaboration with LG, as well as a new one with Huawei. This would mark the first time Google launches two Nexus smartphones the same year, as well as the first time Huawei makes a Nexus device.

None of the companies have confirmed such rumors yet, but a new report now bolsters claims of an upcoming Huawei Nexus smartphone.

"In a bid to improve its relationship with Google and boost its profile in the West, Huawei is working on a new Nexus smartphone in close partnership with Google," a source familiar with Huawei's plans told IBTimes UK.

The source did not offer any additional information regarding the device specifications or its launch date, but did note that it would ship later this year.

Based on previous reports, the Huawei Nexus smartphone will have a 5.7-inch QHD display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution and will feature Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 810 octa-core 64-bit processor.

Although it remains unconfirmed at this point, a collaboration between Huawei and Google for a new Nexus device would make sense, as it would bring notable benefits to both parties.

Huawei, for its part, would expand its horizons and get a foothold in the U.S. market. The company has been significantly affected by allegations of ties with the Chinese government, with some even suggesting that it could threaten national security if it races on the U.S. market. Teaming up with Google may not ease all concerns in this regards, but it would nonetheless give the Chinese company important leverage.

Google, meanwhile, could gain great benefits from this partnership as well. Google services such as Gmail, Maps and search are currently banned by the Chinese government, which means that Google would not be able to sell its own Nexus device in the country. The Huawei employee who talked with IBTimes UK, however, said the company will "work something out."

It will be interesting to see how a partnership between Google and Huawei would pan out, but all Nexus-related reports are unconfirmed for now. The leaks may turn out to be accurate, but it's still best to take everything with a grain of salt until the purported Huawei Nexus smartphone becomes official.