Former Russian midfielder Arsen Zakharyan and the Feyenoord link: what experts are saying
Former Russian national team forward and midfielder Dmitry Bulykin has weighed in on the possible move of Dynamo Moscow’s rising star Arsen Zakharyan to the Dutch club Feyenoord. The discussion, reported by RB Sports, centers on how such a transfer could reshape Zakharyan’s career and the financial realities that accompany a move abroad.
Bulykin argues that while salaries in the Netherlands may not match the top tiers of Russian football, the prospect should still be viewed as a strategic step for a player with immense talent. He contends that the Dutch league offers a higher level of competition than the Russian Premier League, which could accelerate Zakharyan’s development and visibility on the European stage. In Bulykin’s view, the talent and potential are undeniable: Zakharyan could adapt to the Dutch style and excel as he gains experience against a broader spectrum of European teams.
In the prior season, Zakharyan appeared 27 times in Russia’s top flight, contributing four goals and seven assists. Those numbers reflect his growing impact within Dynamo Moscow and his status as one of the brightest young talents in Russian football. The potential move to Feyenoord is framed as a gateway to broader experience, with the Dutch league renowned for nurturing young players and exposing them to faster, more technically demanding football.
The interest from Chelsea emerged in the summer of 2022, when the English club reportedly bid £12.6 million for Zakharyan. That deal never materialized due to sanctions affecting Russian football at the time, which constrained transfers involving Russian players. Since then, Chelsea has continued evaluating options, though sources indicate the pursuit of Zakharyan lost some urgency as the club overseen by Todd Bowley has redirected funds toward a wide array of other signings. The larger context is that the Chelsea regime has invested well over half a billion pounds in player acquisitions, reflecting a broad strategy to refresh the squad with diverse talent across Europe and beyond.
Vitaly Dyakov, a former Dynamo Moscow defender, has also weighed in on Zakharyan’s trajectory. Dyakov suggested that a move to Feyenoord remains a plausible route for the midfielder, given Feyenoord’s reputation for developing young players and competing at a high level in Dutch football and European competitions. The discussion surrounding Zakharyan’s future emphasizes not just the financial considerations but the long-term strategic benefits of stepping into a league that prioritizes technical skill, tactical discipline, and consistent competitive pressure. The broader question for Zakharyan is how a transfer would affect his international prospects, market value, and potential interest from other European clubs in the near term, all while preserving his unique playing style and creating opportunities for leadership on the field.