Transfer rumours: Leroy Fer confirms Everton interest

This is a transfer tale that began out of nowhere in January but is rapidly becoming a long, drawn out saga.

The Dutch Under-21 star agreed a move to Goodison late in the transfer window only for the medical to throw up some concerns over his knee.

Everton sought to renegotiate the terms of the transfer fee, looking to lower the initial down payment for the midfielder and negate the risk involved in signing a player who could - in theory - break down at any time.

Twente refused and the deal collapsed, with Everton left with no time to find an alternative in the winter window.

Fer would go on and play a further 18 times for Twente in the second half of the season before featuring for the Netherlands at the European Under-21 Championships, with no sign of any serious injury.

It was of little surprise then that Everton transfer rumours resurfaced at the end of the season, especially with Marouane Fellaini heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea.

Fer, an athletic defensive midifelder with an eye for goal, appears to be a natural replacement for the big Belgian.

Any moves to sign the player have naturally been delayed due to his international activities in Israel, but speaking after his side's semi-final defeat to Italy, the 23-year-old talked up a potential move to Merseyside this summer.

"I haven't heard about anything but I think my manager did," he said. "I think Everton are still interested in me.

"I would like to go to the Premier League this summer, it's a very nice competition - but my focus has been the European Championships, afterwards we will see."

All very positive stuff, lets hope Everton are listening - what are your thoughts on a potential move for Fer? Let us know in the comments section below.