Chelsea ‘ready to roll out red carpet’ for ‘very special’ £13m target

Chelsea are ‘ready to roll out the red carpet’ for Dynamo Moscow star Arsen Zakharyan as he is seen as a ‘very special’ talent at Stamford Bridge, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Graham Potter, who was appointed as the Blues’ head coach in September, will be handed the opportunity to bolster the squad he inherited when the winter window opens for business at the turn of the year.

What’s the latest news involving Zakharyan?

Chelsea may have failed to get a deal over the line for Zakharyan despite meeting a release clause worth just shy of £13million before the September 1 deadline, but they have been boosted in their hopes of eventually securing the Dynamo Moscow man’s services.

That is because the attacking midfielder has told Russia’s Comment Show that he wants to seal a switch to Stamford Bridge in January, having also been keen on joining the west Londoners before the transfer was blocked by British sanctions put in place due to the war in Ukraine.

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea are refusing to give up in their pursuit of Zakharyan and are ready to meet his release clause.

The report suggests the four-cap Russia international is also in talks about changing his citizenship to Armenian as he bids to force through a move.

Zakharyan will enter the final 12 months of his Dynamo Moscow contract, which is worth £17,000-per-week, at the turn of the year.

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What has Dean Jones said about Zakharyan?

Jones understands that Chelsea are desperate to welcome Zakharyan to the capital and they are not afraid to make their interest abundantly clear.

The journalist would not be shocked if the Blues upped the ante in their pursuit as they are huge admirers.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “There’s no doubt they still want this guy. He’s a big deal and Chelsea are ready to roll out the red carpet for him, in many ways. They want to make him feel special and they want to make him feel wanted.

“They believe that he’s got something very special and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they do try to sign him again.”

Would Zakharyan be a good signing for Chelsea?

Zakharyan is still only 19, but he has already shown this season that he has an abundance of talent by finding the back of the net three times and registering a further six assists ahead of Sunday’s trip to Rostov.

In fact, he has made a superb start to his senior career as he has already racked up 35 goal contributions in less than 70 appearances for Dynamo Moscow.

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is seeking silverware after leading a £4.25billion takeover earlier this year and there is no doubt that Zakharyan could bring success to Stamford Bridge.

He is also willing to contribute defensively, having averaged 1.6 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 0.5 clearances per game in the Russian top flight this season, and that will be music to Potter’s ears.

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