Everton saw a loan deal for Fellaini's compatriot Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe fall through after FIFA refused to ratify the transfer on Friday and it seems unlikely they will seek to overturn that decision.

While the Toffees have said they will assess all available options before considering an appeal, their only probable avenue of recourse is through the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

That could take months rather than weeks and, as the agreement with Club Brugge was only for a loan, a lengthy appeal process does not seem likely as the transfer window reopens in January.

Everton are understood to be unhappy FIFA took a week to come to their conclusion, but the problem appears to have been encountered in Belgium.

The Toffees had their necessary paperwork registered in time for the 11pm deadline only for them to discover Brugge had not quite managed to do the same at their end.

While the Premier League and Football Association supported Everton's claims, as the deal required international clearance it had to be sanctioned by FIFA and they would not rubber stamp it.