Chelsea to miss out on promising transfer target
FT Desk
- 12 Aug 2023 13:00 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea's hopes of signing one of their top young transfer targets are now looking remote, according to reports.
The Blues are big fans of Dynamo Moscow midfielder Arsen Zakharyan, and indeed made a big effort to sign the youngster in the summer of 2022 before the deal fell through due to what Dynamo cited as "technical reasons beyond our control".
Zakharyan has once more been linked to Stamford Bridge in the current window, and it is believed that Chelsea were keen to seal a deal which would have seen the 20-year-old subsequently farmed out to Strasbourg in France's Ligue 1.
MORE: Chelsea talks with midfielder break down
But they have seemingly been beaten to the punch, as Real Sociedad close in on the player.
Zakharyan Spain-bound
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that the Basque team are set to win the race for Zakharyan, beating out a host of (unnamed) clubs for his signature.
Real Sociedad are closing in on the final details of Arsen Zakharyan deal. More than four clubs wanted him this summer but Real are now really close ⚪️🔵✨
Details being agreed this weekend; fee around €13m plus add-ons performance related. pic.twitter.com/TsTBZFGFrW— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2023
Zakharyan will cost Real an initial €13 million, a fee that could rise later with bonuses and add-ons.
The Samara native made his debut for Dynamo in November 2020 aged just 17 and has gone on to make 89 appearances at the club, scoring 15 goals.
He has also broken into the Russia national team, for whom he has been capped nine times.
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