Chelsea plot Arsen Zakharyan transfer masterplan as Todd Boehly finds clever loophole
Todd Boehly appears to have found a loophole which could see Chelsea finally sign Arsen Zakharyan. The 20-year-old midfielder was heavily linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge last year, but a move failed to materialise.
In the final days of the summer window, the American billionaire looked to swiftly wrap up a deal for Zakharyan, but the Blues faced a number of complications which ultimately saw negotiations collapse. Due to British sanctions placed on Russia, as well as various other rules and regulations set by FIFA on the transfer of Russia or Ukraine-based players, a move proved too difficult to complete.
The west Londoners then attempted to revisit negotiations for the Dynamo Moscow star in January, but with little success. With the ongoing war blocking the Russian's move to Chelsea, Boehly appears to have found a loophole.
According to 90min, Chelsea's owners are eager to sign Zakharyan for newly-acquired partner club Strasbourg. The report states that the youngster could be available for just £8.6million, with his contract set to expire in 12 months.
The Blues' sister club are expected to face tough competition in the race to sign the midfielder, with Feyenoord and Lazio reportedly reaching out. If Strasbourg manage to get their hands on Zakharyan then a long-awaited transfer to Chelsea becomes much easier to complete.
Speaking to Sport24 in October, the Russian revealed how he found out about the west Londoners' interest, what he would do to ensure a move doesn't fall through again and whether he'd consider joining a club other than Chelsea.
Zakharyan said: «I found out from my agents, plus the club said that they received a letter with a request from Chelsea. I don't know the transfer details.
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