Chelsea have reportedly not given up in their attempts to sign Russian midfielder Arsen Zakharyan following their summer swoop for the player.
According to the Evening Standard, talks are ongoing between the Blues and Dynamo Moscow over the transfer – although a breakthrough is yet to be found.
Chelsea thought they had reached an agreement to sign the teenager during the summer window – however the conflict in Ukraine ended their chances of completing the signing.
Dynamo revealed that the move was blocked due to the sanctions Britain has placed on Russia in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, with the issue arising due to the need to transfer funds to a club in Russia.
Under the terms of the British sanctions on the economy in Russia, Chelsea may have struggled to pay for the transfer, given the money would be going to a club in the country.
It would have also been difficult for Zakharyan to be given a work permit, which is a matter for the Home Office.
FIFA’s rules on signing Russian players during the war added another layer of complication to the potential deal.
In a club statement, Dynamo said: ‘On August 25 we received an offer from Chelsea for Arsen Zakharyan.
‘For several days, there have been intense negotiations between Dynamo and Chelsea, in which our club took a constructive position.
‘However, it is not possible to transfer a player in this summer transfer window for a number of technical reasons beyond our control.’
The Evening Standard also claim that Zakharyan is reportedly in talks to change his citizenship from Russian to Armenian which would make a move for the 19-year-old easier.
Zakharyan is seen as one of the best young players in world football and Chelsea will be hoping to secure his services as soon as possible.
