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EVERTON are lining up a shock £1million January swoop for Dundee United kid Andrew Robertson.

Goodison Park manager Robert Martinez is ready to act on sparkling scouting reports and jump to the front of the queue by launching a bid for the left-back’s signature next month.

Robertson has made a stunning impression in the United first team since making a summer move from League Two Queen’s Park.

Record Sport understands the 19-year-old came to the attention of Everton’s scouting network as they made checks on Tannadice team-mate John Souttar.

The centre-back may still be on their radar but Robertson has become the prime candidate for next month.

With England star Leighton Baines ready to leave Merseyside in the transfer window, Martinez knows a long-term replacement is needed.

Costa Rican Bryan Oviedo, who has filled in during Baines’s current injury absence, would continue as left-back in the short-term with Robertson a development project.

Everton hope to sweep ahead of other clubs and Martinez may consider a deal to loan the kid back to United to ensure he keeps up his swift progress.

Martinez has an excellent track record for scouting young talent in Scotland, having signed James McCarthy and James McArthur from Hamilton while at Wigan.

Tannadice boss Jackie McNamara would love to keep his high-flying group together but United could not afford to reject a bid from the English top flight.

But there was good news as Ryan Gauld, who turned 18 yesterday, agreed another contract extension, adding a year to the deal he signed last month to take his contract to May 2017.

McNamara said: “We’re trying to build something special and a long-term deal for Ryan signals our desire.”

SFA rules prevent Under-18s from signing long-term contracts which is the reason why Gauld has agreed another deal so swiftly.