Football manager Alexei Safonov weighs in on Arsen Zakharyan’s path, arguing that the young playmaker must prove his value at Dynamo before taking a bold step toward a top European club. Safonov contends that a successful spell at Dynamo would serve as a proving ground, enabling Zakharyan to demonstrate consistency, leadership, and adaptability at a high level before facing the steeper expectations of a move abroad. This approach, he suggests, gives the midfielder time to mature physically and tactically, and to build a track record that will stand up to scrutiny from world-class clubs.
Safonov offers a practical perspective: if he were in Zakharyan’s shoes, development would take precedence over chasing a quick transfer. He notes that Chelsea, a club capable of competing at the highest tier, may not guarantee a regular starting role for a player still proving himself. At a club of that calibre, the midfielder could find himself in a so-called golden cage, where appearances are scarce and the chance to grow on the pitch is limited. The message is clear: the most fruitful path could be securing a first-team slot somewhere where talents are valued and used consistently, even if that means delaying a move to a larger league until the moment is right. [attribution: Safonov interview]
Earlier discussions surfaced about Chelsea’s interest in Zakharyan, the 19-year-old midfielder who represents Russia at the international level. Reports suggested the club was prepared to trigger a purchase option with Dynamo and set the transfer fee at 15 million euros, a figure included in the contract as compensation for European clubs. However, payments complications stalled the deal, leaving the transfer in limbo and delaying what would have been a major step in the young player’s career trajectory. [attribution: transfer rumors timeline]
Currently, Zakharyan’s contract with his parent club is set to run through the end of June 2024, after which the club may re-evaluate options based on his development, form, and the evolving market for young Russian talent. Throughout this season, the midfielder has made six appearances for his club, contributing one goal and two assists, a small but meaningful tally that demonstrates potential and the ability to contribute in competitive matches. Those numbers underline the ongoing evaluation process for both the player and prospective suitors weighing readiness to take the next big leap or whether additional maturation within a strong European environment would be advantageous. [attribution: season statistics report]
In related transfer chatter, there were earlier reports about Paris Saint-Germain academy graduate Moussa Sissako possibly moving to Sochi, another example of how Russian players attract attention from clubs across Europe. This backdrop places Zakharyan within a broader landscape of young talents navigating professional opportunities, loan deals, and transfer negotiations as clubs weigh immediate impact against long-term development potential. [attribution: European transfers overview]