Real Sociedad Secures Russian Playmaker Arsen Zakharyan from Dynamo Moscow
Russian journalist Ivan Karpov and a network of insiders have revealed details around the reported move of midfielder Arsen Zakharyan to Real Sociedad. According to trusted sources in the scene, the deal involves several key figures: journalist Nobel Arustamyan, media producer Vladislav Khapsas, ex-player Vlado Lemich, and manager Pavel Andreev. The group is said to have played substantial roles behind the scenes in negotiating the transfer, underscoring how interconnected the modern transfer market has become.
The discussion around Zakharyan’s agency side has drawn attention. It is claimed that Andreev, acting as the player’s representative, pushed for a larger share of the agency fees. In the reported arrangement, Arustamyan, Khapsas, and Lemich are said to have received a collective payment of 1 million euros from Real Sociedad, with Andreev taking half of that amount. An additional figure of 2 million euros is said to have been routed through Dynamo as part of the negotiations. These numbers illustrate the complex financial layers that can surround a high-profile transfer.
On August 19, Real Sociedad publicly announced the acquisition of Arsen Zakharyan from Dynamo Moscow. The contract is reported to extend through June 2029, giving the Basque club a long-term option on a player who has been attracting attention from European clubs for several seasons. Earlier in the summer of 2023, three Dutch clubs—PSV, Ajax, and Feyenoord—were notably tracking the midfielder, signaling his growing appeal across top leagues and the importance of late summer windows for big moves.
In his first appearance for Real Sociedad in La Liga, Zakharyan was part of a matchday squad that finished 1-1 with Celta Vigo, a result that offered a glimpse of how he might influence the team’s creative play. Across this season’s early league games, the midfielder has contributed one goal and one assist in three appearances in the Russian Premier League, highlighting his ongoing form and potential impact upon his Competitions with Sociedad.
There have been prior reports suggesting that Zakharyan’s debut with Real Sociedad could be delayed, a common scenario in high-stakes transfers as clubs align schedules, medicals, and contract formalities. The overall timeline points to a carefully managed transition designed to maximize both the player’s readiness and the club’s strategic plans for the coming season.
As with many major moves, the transfer has drawn speculation about the broader implications for Real Sociedad and Dynamo Moscow. The arrival of a young, technically gifted midfielder could influence Sociedad’s tactical setup, offering more options in midfield creativity and ball distribution. For Dynamo, the departure marks a significant shift in their strategic planning, as they navigate the post-transfer phase and consider future avenues for talent development and transfer income. Analysts note that such transfers can reverberate through the market, affecting player valuations, wage structures, and club recruitment philosophies across leagues in North America and Europe.
Fans and pundits alike are watching how Zakharyan adapts to Spanish football, where tempo, space, and pressure often demand different decision-making than in the Russian league. If he finds a sustained role in Real Sociedad’s lineup, his development could become a focal point of the team’s pursuit of European competition qualification and domestic success in a season likely to feature tight title races across La Liga. The player’s trajectory will be watched closely as he integrates new teammates, coaches, and a different style of football, with a spotlight on how his creativity and vision translate to the Spanish stage. Attribution for these insights follows industry reporting from multiple observers in the football transfer ecosystem.