Up until last week Bobby hadn't mentioned the need for another striker. That's changed now, the penny has dropped. Whereas before he spoke of a playmaker and a centre back, now he's got to stretch his funds to 3 players instead.
If he was sold on Shaqiri 100%, we'd be buying him, not loaning him. I reckon it's sensible too, he's obviously not sure he's the right type of 'character' but he knows he's a very good player, hence a tentative loan bid which is risk free.
Then we'd have money to buy a striker, e.g. Austin and a centre back, and we could make Shaqiri perm next summer.
If he was sold on him, I think we'd be offering to loan a striker instead, then spending the bulk on Shaqiri and a centre back.
He's playing it safe, he'll have other targets lined up, but he'll likely get a cheap/loan sorted first so he knows he can then blow the rest of his budget.