Chelsea’s spokesperson, Toby Craig, has dismissed fresh rumors about the club pursuing Dynamo Moscow and Russian national team midfielder Arsen Zakharyan. According to Craig, there is no truth to the speculation, and Chelsea is not positioned to move for the 20-year-old at the moment. This statement comes amid ongoing questions about whether sanctions on Russia influence transfer activity at top clubs in London.
Independent journalist Felix Johnston had suggested that Chelsea still held an interest in Zakharyan, but that any potential deal would be hindered by the economic restrictions England has imposed on Russian football. The implication was that financial constraints, rather than a lack of desire, were the main obstacle to completing a transfer. (Attribution: sports24)
To put it in context, Chelsea had previously offered around £12.6 million for the midfielder during the previous transfer window. The bid did not advance last year due to the broader ceiling on Russian football activities, a consequence of sanctions and regulatory barriers. This environment has also affected how European clubs have transferred funds connected to players linked with Russian teams. (Attribution: sports24)
Meanwhile, Dynamo Moscow is described as acting in a custodial role in relation to transfer matters associated with Dutch and Russian football, with ongoing compliance requirements in the background. The club has been connected to resolving outstanding obligations through mediation in high-profile transfers involving players who have represented the Russian national team.
In another financial development, Dynamo Moscow is reported to be responsible for settling a debt linked to a separate transfer. The club is said to owe 750,000 Euros to Golden Toys LLP in relation to the transfer of a former Cologne player, Konstantin Raush, who previously wore the number for the Russian national squad. This arrangement appears to be part of a broader framework where Dynamo Moscow negotiates third-party payments as part of transfer settlements. (Attribution: sports24)