The virtual e1000e adapter in VMs appears as an Intel 82574L on ESXi/Workstation/Fusion Windows VMs.
I can't say whether it is real or counterfeit. A high or normal price does not automatically guarantee that it is real/genuine; so it can be a hit or miss with the seller. There used to be an Intel webpage that you can enter markings/stickers from the NIC to determine whether it is a genuine Intel or not; but now I can't find that webpage. Note that these counterfeit NICs still work but I can only guess these were made from chips that failed quality control tests so it may not work with all OSs and/or has less tolerance for heat/prolonged use.
Also note that Intel has not released a Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10 driver for this (although the virtual e1000e works with a Windows 10 VM); and expected discontinuance is in just over a year from now (Q1 2019).
https://ark.intel.com/products/32209/Intel-82574L-Gigabit-Ethernet-Controller
Anyway, it should be fine to try it out and if it doesn't work with ESXi it is only $25 and not a few hundred; and the seller posted a 30/60-day defect warranty.
https://www.newegg.com/i4e-Marketplace/about?position=return
EDIT: I found the genuine Intel NIC check page; which then leads to the Yottamark webpage. But it look like it covers only specific server-class NIC adapter models and does not cover a NIC with 82574L.
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000007074/network-and-i-o/ethernet-products...
http://verify.yottamark.com/
