Sam Byram to Everton: Roberto Martinez confirms an approach has been made to sign the Leeds defender

It has been claimed that a £4m deal had been agreed between the clubs

Leeds United right-back Sam Byram (Getty Images)

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed that the Merseyside club have made ‘an approach’ to sign Leeds United’s highly-rated right-back Sam Byram.

It was widely reported on Thursday evening that a bid of £4m had been accepted by the Championship outfit, and that a deal was close to being finalised, but Martinez revealed to reporters on Friday that negotiations are still at an early stage.

“There has been an initial approach, but there is a long gap until official confirmation.

“If there's a signing to be made, it needs to be the right character, the right addition. In any process there are steps. Some become very long, others are quite short.”

Meanwhile, the out-of favour forward Steven Naismith looks set to exit Goodison Park during the January transfer window.

Norwich were heavily linked with the Scot earlier in the month, but now Swansea has emerged as a possible destination for the striker after their manager Alan Curtis confirmed his interest.

Steven Naismith could soon be saying goodbye to Goodison Park

However, Martinez rubbished the suggestion that the Toffees had already struck a deal with the Welsh club, hinting that it was the Canaries who were still favourites to sign the player.

“There is no agreement with Swansea. Obviously there's been another Premier League club we made a lot of progress with in that respect.

“I would say everything is more or less agreed in terms of a transfer. We spoke to another Premier League club, and that deal has been there since January the first, but it's about sitting down with the player."