Everton have certainly not been renowned for their astute business acumen in recent times, although one move that ultimately paid off was the addition - and subsequent sale - of Belgian colossus, Marouane Fellaini.

The imposing and at times reckless giant was snapped up by former boss David Moyes on a then club-record deal from Standard Liege in 2008, with the Toffees forking out £15m to bring the 6-foot-4 menace to Goodison Park.

The Brussels-born star became something of an instant hit on Merseyside after scoring nine goals in all competitions during his debut campaign, with his "unique" style - as described by Daniel Dawkins - proving a real handful for opposition defenders.

While neither a classy nor silky addition, the towering marksman certainly proved effective under Moyes' tutelage, with his seemingly unpredictable nature and aerial threat making him a real attacking weapon under the Scotsman.

The 2012/13 campaign proved particularly fruitful for the versatile asset as he scored 11 goals in 31 Premier League games, notably scoring against future employers Manchester United in a 1-0 win on the opening weekend.

While Fellaini had been a key figure for the Toffees in his five-year spell at the club - with his total tally standing at 33 goals and 26 assists in 177 assists in all competitions - he was certainly a player with limitations, with his at times clumsy and unsophisticated manner not particularly pleasing on the eye.

As such, there would no doubt have been those at Goodison rubbing their hands with glee when Moyes subsequently opted to bring the player with him following his appointment at Old Trafford in 2013, as United submitted a late £27.5m offer for the forward at the close of the window.

Not only did that deal represent a £12.5m profit on the club's initial investment, but it was perhaps a greater fee than they were potentially hoping for, with Fellaini having had a buyout clause worth £23.5m that could have been activated by the end of July.

The Red Devils' late desperation ultimately ensured they were forced to pay a higher fee for his signature, having only a few weeks earlier bid a reported £28m to prise both the Belgium international and defender Leighton Baines.

That deal ultimately proved a real masterstroke for new boss Roberto Martinez, as the Spaniard had already brought in a certain Romelu Lukaku on loan as an attacking replacement, with the striker going on to score 15 league goals during the 2013/14 season as Everton finished fifth.

As for Fellaini, the 87-cap brute went on to underwhelm at the Theatre of Dreams as United finished in a lowly seventh that season - leading to Moyes' swift sacking - with the eye-catching titan struggling to make an impact in his new surroundings.

While he would enjoy bright moments during his time in Manchester - scoring 22 goals and laying on 12 assists in 177 games - the £4.05m-rated man seemingly showcased that he wasn't quite at the elite level, before subsequently joining Shandong Taisan in 2019.

Now 34, the veteran ace has proven somewhat prolific for the Chinese outfit with 33 goals in just 92 games, albeit with it seemingly marking his fall from grace that he is no longer competing in one of Europe's top five leagues.

While he'll remain a player fondly remembered for his time with the Toffees, the club certainly struck gold with his exit.