EVERTON are ready to fight off late interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur to sign Kyle Naughton.

The Blues have agreed a £5m fee with Sheffield United for the exciting right-back and personal terms have also been finalised but just when club officials thought they would be in a position to make an announcement, attempts have been made to hijack Naughton's signature.

Both Villa and Spurs made contact with United and the player's advisors yesterday afternoon in the hope of being able to turn his head away from Goodison Park.

Despite this unhelpful development, however, Everton remain in pole position to take Naughton from Bramall Lane.

United officials have noted the success Phil Jagielka has enjoyed on Merseyside since making a similar move in July 2007 and it has been impressed on the 20-year-old how many chances he would get if taking the same path.

Naughton was told by United last night that they would not stand in his way after agreeing that fee with Everton and he subsequently played just 11 minutes as a late substitute in their friendly against Floriana in Malta.

One man who is now officially an Everton player is Brazilian striker Jo.