Yes, I know. Rafa Benitez said there'd be no more major incoming transfer in the January window, so I should get too excited or interested in any rumours or speculation. But you know what? I'm not going to let Rafa ruin my fun.
On Monday, Everton announced a major new acquisition: FC Twente central midfielder Leroy Fer. Reports are indicating that they spent about €10 million on Fer, which is pretty interesting because they weren't supposed to have €1 million to spend, let alone €10 million.
Fer's interesting on another level, because he's a midfield-engine type, a guy who does a lot of running and awkward defensive work as well as being able to push the ball forward. In short, he fulfills the role that Marouane Fellaini did before he transitioned to his strange attacking position about a year ago.
So, in other words, Everton have spent money that they might not really have in order to partially replace Fellaini, who would generate a great deal of money if and when they sold him. It's not difficult to surmise, at this point, what happens next -- the big Belgian's being primed for departure, either immediately or during the summer.
Now, I'm not quite as sold on Fellaini as I was before Chelsea brought in Demba Ba, because there are almost certainly more economic options to improve the central midfield without Fellaini's more... unique talents higher up the pitch, but this is still interesting news. We know that the Blues have been sniffing around the 25-year-old for a little while, and now his exit from Goodison Park is looming.
Even if we're quiet for the rest of January, this transfer rumour is far from dead. Fun times.