REVEALED: How Putin affected Chelsea latest transfer on deadline day
Arsen Zakharyan was pursued by Chelsea from Dynamo Moscow.
Despite the two teams agreeing on a price, British sanctions against Russia prevented the deal.
The 19-year-old Russian midfielder, who is regarded as one of the country’s most brilliant young players, was anticipated to join Chelsea.
The midfielder’s £12.6 million release clause had been triggered by Chelsea, but the transaction fell through due to Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Dynamo Moscow released a statement on their club website, thus: “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.
owever, it is not possible to transfer a player in this summer transfer window for a number of technical reasons beyond our control.”
Renowned agent Rafaela Pimenta told Sport Express of the deal: “Today, it is impossible to close the transfer of Zakharyan in the summer transfer window.
“This transfer is not frozen until winter, but it is possible. Now we are still working to ensure that Dinamo can get money from Chelsea.”
Chelsea fans would recall the sanctions and uncertainty the club faced last season following the war. Roman Abramovich would eventually lose ownership of the club thereafter.