Chelsea’s attempts to sign Dynamo Moscow midfielder Arsen Zakharyan have hit a major stumbling block which has put the move on hold until January at the earliest.
Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard reports that the Blues will not sign the youngster this summer due to “the complex rules around the transfer of Russian players.”
He does, however, confirm that the club are still interested in the player and may return to negotiations “as early as January”.
Chelsea Cannot Sign Arsen Zakharyan
Chelsea are ready to pay Arsen Zakharyan's £12.6m release clause but need to get creative after the transfer window closes. Here's the situation after Dinamo Moscow's statement: https://t.co/qx16dcGrrJ #CFC #DeadlineDay
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) September 1, 2022
Impossible Deal
While speaking to Sport Express, the agent of the 19-year-old said: “It is impossible to close the transfer of Zakharyan in the summer transfer window.”
Chelsea are ready and willing to pay the release clause for the player according to Kinsella’s tweet but they aren’t allowed to actually pay the Russian club for their player.
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Despite the best attempts of the agent and the Blues themselves, they will not be able to get the deal over the line before the transfer window shuts.
Arsen Zakharyan's move to Chelsea at this stage looks unlikely. ⚠️
Chelsea are trying hard, but the current situation and sanctions are a big issue for both sides to complete the transfer.#TransferDeadlineDay pic.twitter.com/a4E9wEBXqy
— Hrach Khachatryan (@hrachoff) September 1, 2022
Another Young Star
Describes as a “talented wonderkid” by Football London, the Russian international was set to be another great young signing by Todd Boehly in this window. In 34 games last season, the teenager scored nine times and racked up nine assists as his attacking qualities were on display.
He can notably play in the midfield or operate as a winger thanks to his pace and dribbling ability.
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The signing of the youngster was supposed to be a part of the new Vision 2030 plan to overhaul the youth system.
The new owners have fully bought into allowing Neil Bath to reshape the academy system which has already resulted in the signings of young stars Carney Chukwuemeka, Gabriel Slonina, and Cesare Casadei among others.
