ROBERTO MARTINEZ has confirmed that Everton have made an approach for Leeds United defender Sam Byram.

The 22-year-old, who grew up in York, is out of contract at the end of this season and it was reported on Thursday that the Toffees have had a fee worth up to £5million accepted by the Elland Road side.

A former pupil at Ralph Butterfield Primary School, in Haxby, and Joseph Rowntree School, in New Earswick, Byram played for York City Schoolboys and Wigginton Grasshoppers before being snapped up by the Whites.

The Toffees boss sees Byram as a long-term option which could provide a short-term fix with Seamus Coleman out injured, but Martinez pointed out that any potential deal is still a long way off.

"There has been an approach. There is nothing else to comment on. You have to careful," he said. "From there to conclusive news is a long gap."

It has been widely reported elsewhere the Goodison Park outfit have had £3.75 million accepted for Byram, who has made 143 league and cup appearances for the Elland Road club and scored ten goals.

But there are a number of Premier League suitors looking to secure Byram's services with West Ham and Newcastle also said to be in the frame for the right-back.

Leeds boss Steve Evans said the interest in Byram was indicative of the young talent plying their trade at the club.

"Leeds United is blessed to have such young talented players," he said."It doesn't stop at Sam Byram. When you look at Lewis Cook, Alex Mowatt, Charlie Taylor - I could go on.

"We are very blessed but, and it's the important thing for me, if we are going to sell these players the money needs to be re-invested back in the team."

He added: "There is money available to strengthen the squad. I have been subject myself to calling head coaches and putting offers in, albeit on a verbal basis, which is how the original call came from the Premier League manager who has agreed a deal with this football club.

"He first rang me and gave me an approximate of what they were thinking and we took it to the owners."

And if the deal for Byram isn't quickly concluded, Evans is expecting him to be in the line up for the club's Yorkshire derby with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in the Championship today.