Chelsea are interested in a move for Dynamo Moscow midfielder Arsen Zakharyan, who is available for €12m this summer.
That’s according to Sport-Express in Russia, who say RB Leipzig are also keeping a close eye on the 18-year-old.
They reported the German club’s interest in the young midfielder, stating that they are ready to activate the player’s release clause, but a move was ‘unlikely’.
The website now follow that with a piece explaining Zakharyan is actually available for €12m for foreign clubs, a figure which will rise to €15m next summer.
There’s no mention of why that is the case, with Zakharyan only having moved into Dynamo’s first team in January and made 16 appearances for them so far.
He has, however, managed six assists and four assists in those 16 games so far, so perhaps it is those numbers that have caught Chelsea’s attention.
Their interest is apparently there, and at €12m, the 18-year-old is certainly someone that they can afford.
Dynamo naturally aren’t keen on losing their prized asset, a sentiment shared by board member Sergey Stepashin when asked about the potential move.
“Let Abramovich be interested in his fate,” he’s quoted as saying.
“I think he is worth as much in the long run. But then again, he only turned 18.
“Of course, he should play at least three more years here in the national championship. Well, in Dynamo, of course, why would you go elsewhere? To get stronger, and then you can go.
“Otherwise, one can break down because they are from a foreign country, foreign players, foreign mentality. It can break a young guy. And he will still have time to earn his keep.
“We had many examples when people left and then disappeared altogether.”
