Russian club Dynamo Moscow reveal Arsen Zakharyan’s £12.6m transfer to Chelsea has been BLOCKED by British sanctions…making a deal ‘impossible’ despite agreement between the teams
- Arsen Zakharyan was set to join Chelsea from Dynamo Moscow for £12.6m
- However, the move for the Russian star has been blocked by British sanctions
- The midfielder is seen as one of the most talented young players in Russia
- The sanctions mean that Chelsea are unable to transfer the funds to Dynamo
Arsen Zakharyan’s impending transfer from Dynamo Moscow to Chelsea has been blocked by British sanctions on Russia – despite the two clubs agreeing a fee.
Thomas Tuchel‘s side were expected to boost their midfield with the signing of the 19-year-old Russian star.
Chelsea had activated the midfielder’s £12.6m release clause, with Zakharyan seen as one of Russia’s most talented young players.
The Blues were set to sign Russian teenager Arsen Zakharyan (right) from Dynamo Moscow
Thomas Tuchel hoped to bolster his options before the move was blocked by British sanctions
However, Dynamo have 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, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, 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 statement on their club website, Dynamo said: ‘On August 25 we received an offer from Chelsea for Arsen Zakharyan.
19-year-old midfielder Zakharyan is seen as one of the most talented young players in Russia
‘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.’