Having reflected on the possibility of upping sticks from the glamorous Milan to the bright lights of Stoke, it seems Xherdan Shaqiri has instead signed a deal with terror suspect Shefqet Krasniqi.
Only joking.
What we are in fact seeing is the Swiss international being gracious and accepting a photo with the man arrested by the US for suspicion of terrorism and inciting racial hatred last September.
Shaqiri continues on his Facebook page;
A picture of the imam Shefqet Krasniqi and myself has caused a lot of unnecessary controversy.
The imam came to me and asked for a photo, like thousands of other people have done. I had a photograph with him as it would have been rude to refuse not to.
I was not aware that the imam was associated with terrorism. I can’t check the character of every fan who wants to take a photo of me.
We Shaqiris are observant Muslims, but we are very far from all extremists.
With the player currently in limbo as Stoke hammer out personal details with the Inter Milan winger, it all seems at this stage Shaqiri is likely only to accept a one year contract only.
One year of Walters, Crouchy and the little Swiss playmaker all in the same team, may just be thrilling enough.