Everton transfer news: Roberto Martinez confirms Toffees are chasing Leeds star Sam Byram

Roberto Martinez has confirmed Everton have made an official approach for Leeds United's Sam Byram. The Toffees are rumoured to have made a multi-million pound bid for the 22-year-old star, but Martinez has insisted a deal is still some way off being completed.

Byram has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs in recent weeks, but it appears Everton have moved to the front of the queue. Despite this, Martinez is keen to stress Byram remains a Leeds player for the time being.

"There has been an approach. Nothing else to comment at the moment. You have to be very careful. I don't enjoy the window clashing with important games. Nothing else to comment. An initial approach, but a long gap until official confirmation," he said during a pre-match press conference for Everton's game against Chelsea, according to the Liverpool Echo.

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

Martinez also revealed Everton have agreed terms with Swansea City over the transfer of Steven Naismith. He said it is now up to the player to decide if he wants to move to the Liberty Stadium.

"Everything is agreed in terms of a transfer. He has an ankle knock, and the priority is to see him fit and available, then have a sit down," the Everton boss said. "It's in his hands, to a point, but it has to be in everyone's interest. In the summer, we couldn't replace him, it wasn't the right move. Now, it's in his hands."

Martinez, 42, admitted Naismith wanted to leave Goodison Park for Norwich City in the summer, but said the club were not in a position to let him go at the time. "It was one that Steven would have liked to consider, but we couldn't replace him. The squad would have suffered, but we promised that in the next window we would review it," the Everton boss shared.

"Steven hasn't played as much as he would have liked for a senior figure, and it's only fair and honest that we sit down and review it."