Confusion Reigns on Twitter as Stoke Agree Fee for Xherdan Shaqiri

Two seasons ago, Xherdan Shaqiri was a Champions League-winning winger with Bayern Munich, viewed by many as the heir to the throne of Die Roten's flanks should Franck Ribery or Arjen Robben cede their power. After half a season at Inter Milan, the highly touted 23-year-old now finds himself at the dawn of an exciting career in the Premier League. With Stoke. Seriously, Stoke. 

The BBC confirm that the Potters have had a £12 million fee accepted by Internazionale, a piece of business that has left the good folks of Staffordshire in shock... 

The move has aroused curiosity and confusion from fans all across Twitter, who are puzzled as to why the Swiss starlet would be heading to such an unexpected locale... 

"

Shaqiri to Stoke ...is like Scarlett Johansson showing up at your dive bar.

— Matthew Tomaszewicz (@shinguardian) July 1, 2015"

"

When you find out that the Stoke buying Shaquiri story isn't a joke pic.twitter.com/SF2GDt8oXB

— RightInDebuchy (@EmanDaGoon) July 1, 2015"

The move seems perplexing, but a popular betting firm appear to have solved the mystery...

Shaqiri may have seen the aesthetically pleasing Britannia Stadium on television, but some suspect he may be in for a shock when he realises his new home is a little lacking in glamour...  

"

Welcome to Stoke @XS_11official pic.twitter.com/HZFpQ0wC15

— shks (@_shakesy) July 1, 2015"

Many were also quick to note the apparent step down a move from Bayern and Inter to Stoke represents... 

A great deal of football fans—who had apparently never heard of Shaqiri—appeared to confuse the Swiss star with a pop performer whose hips only tell the truth... 

"

Misheard in the office.... "Blimey! Stoke have signed @shakira!" @Joe_Parsons416 @nick_reeve #Football pic.twitter.com/PL4oSaCfde

— Joe McGrath (@Biz_Hack) July 1, 2015"

Colombian pop star confusion aside, many were quick to note that the sale of such a high-profile young player to a team like Stoke is indicative of the financial muscle Sky's recent multibillion-pound TV rights deal afforded England's top sides... 

"

Stoke signing Xherdan Shaqiri shows just how much power and money Premier League clubs have. Without TV deal, it would have been impossible.

— Adam Sweeney (@AdamWSweeney) July 1, 2015"

"

Shows how much Prem teams get from TV money.... Stoke signing Shaqiri, Payet to West Ham and looks like Cabaye to Palace!!

— Sam Rogerson (@SamRogerson2) July 1, 2015"

So thanks to the excessive valuation of TV rights, it looks as if Shaqiri will be plying his trade at the Britannia, allowing him to fulfil one of his main career goals. 

He'll surely need to pop a thank you card to Rupert Murdoch in the post.