Real Sociedad’s Arsen Zacharjan has revealed that Chelsea made an offer to secure his services.
The attacking midfielder joined the La Liga side from Dynamo Moscow last summer, and has scored a goal and registered two assists from 32 games for La Real this season.
Zacharjan has been speaking to Mundo Deportivo about his debut season so far, life in San Sebastian, Chelsea’s interest and several other topics.
The Russia international has said he already feels settled with his life in Spain, both on and off the pitch. He insists the move to Real Sociedad has been a success as it’s helped him with his development.
“It was a total success to come to Real. I’ve taken about 10 steps forward. I am developing here, I am very happy and I plan to continue here, improving,” he said.
Mundo then directly asked the winger, who can also operate as a wing-back, whether the Blues went after him last summer. The newspaper also asked Zacharjan why he picked Real Sociedad over Chelsea.
Responding to that, Zacharjan explained: “I had an offer from Chelsea, but I preferred to come to Real. I wanted to come to La Liga, to Spain, and that’s why I came to Real.
“Real’s game is very favourable for me. We are a team that always want the ball, and I like to have it, very active, and that is what I like.”
Last summer wasn’t the only time the west London club failed to sign the Russia international.
Chelsea had reportedly made an official offer to Dynamo Moscow in 2022, but they weren’t able to get a deal over the line.