Xherdan Shaqiri is on his way to Italy after Bayern Munich agreed to terms with Inter Milan over a reported 15 million-euro transfer of the Switzerland international on Thursday.
Here are few talking points regarding the transfer of this highly coveted player.
1. Why didn't it work out for Shaqiri at Bayern?
To put it bluntly, Bayern have a luxury of riches in attacking midfield, and he remained little more than a bit-part player at the German champions. Over three seasons, the Swiss midfield star couldn't consistently find a way past the likes of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and World Cup winners Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller.
All the signs from manager Pep Guardiola were that the frustration wasn't likely to end for "Shaq" any time soon. This season, despite a whole host of injuries in the side, Shaqiri drifted further down the pecking order. The Spanish coach even chose to put two goalkeepers on the bench in their last game in Mainz, rather than selecting Shaqiri (to warm the bench).
He leaves with an overall record of 11 goals in 52 Bundesliga appearances, but only half of these were starts.
The stats are rather more alarming in Europe's elite club competition.
Shaqiri only managed a solitary Champions League start for the record German champions -- in December 2012 against minnows BATE Borisov -- when Bayern had already qualified for the next stage.
He won the treble in his first season, but inevitably was an unused sub in the 2013 Champions League final at Wembley.
He tried to force a move before the World Cup, bemoaning a lack of game time under Guardiola. The Reds paid Basel around 9 million euros to acquire Shaqiri's services and now apparently have doubled their money. It's a good deal for all concerned.
2. What can Inter Milan fans expect from him?
On his better days, the nickname "The Alpine Messi" is apt. Shaqiri can play on either flank but his best position is wide right. He can take a mean free kick, with his potent left peg by far his strongest weapon.
Due to his bulk, he doesn't possess lightning speed, but quick feet enable him to get out of the tightest corners. He was only booked once in his entire Bundesliga career, so don't expect Shaqiri to get stuck in, as strong tackling is not a feature of his game.
3. What are his best attributes?
His physique means he is not easily brushed off the ball. He is a pinpoint passer, a good finisher with a deadly eye for goal. How many players can boast a hat trick at the 2014 World Cup? In looking at his recent form for his national side, an impudent back-heeled goal for the Swiss against Lithuania is the pick of the bunch, and shows what his capabilities are.
4. What does he need to improve on?
The ex-Basel star only completed the full 90 minutes on a paltry five occasions in three seasons at Bayern and, in my opinion, needs to improve his body language.
When he did get a chance of late to impress at Bayern, the midfielder hasn't done himself justice. His negative demeanour always suggested a move was on the horizon.
Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini seemed to virtually banish wideman Adam Johnson while at Manchester City, so it will be intriguing to see how the Italian handles his big-money signing. Mancini has shown great faith, and the Swiss star needs to pay him back.
5. Will he be a success at Inter? What should be his target for the remainder of the season?
Yes. Serie A is no longer the strongest league in the world, so a live wire like Shaqiri could have an instant impact. The Swiss star has already prospered on Italian soil this season, firing Bayern's final goal in the 7-1 demolition of Roma in the Champions League.
Inter languish mid-table in 11th after just five wins in 17 games, but only five points from the Europa League qualifying spots. Mancini, having forked over this large fee, will grant the 23-year-old the regular football his prodigious talents deserve. Shaqiri's signing, coupled with the loan of another ex-Bayern star in Lukas Podolski, should see Mancini's men comfortably achieve this minimum target.
If Mancini can somehow patch up Inter's porous defence, then Champions League qualification is not beyond the realms of possibility.