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Russian starlet Arsen Zakharyan has opened up on life since turning down Chelsea. The 20-year-old was a target for the club in the summer of 2022 and 2023 but instead opted to move to Real Sociedad where he has continued his development.
Arsenal were also linked with the versatile midfielder who continues to build up an impressive volume of games despite his age. Having left his homeland for Spain last year, Zakharyan has now spoken about the call to reject Chelsea in favour of La Real.
“I had an offer from Chelsea, but I preferred to come to Real," he told Mundo Deportivo. «I wanted to come to La Liga, to Spain, and that’s why I came to Real.
“Real’s game is very favourable for me. We are a team that always want the ball, and I like to have it, very active, and that is what I like.”
Zakharyan had offers for him blocked due to sanctions imposed by the British government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He was expected to cost around £13million and also held interest from Lazio too.
Chelsea even took steps to try and get him to the BlueCo-owned multi-club affiliate, RC Strasbourg when they appointed super-agent Rafaela Pimenta. Zakharyan had other ideas in the end though and opted for La Liga.
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Now, Real Sociedad are still in the battle to finish in the top four in Spain this year having qualified for the Champions League last season. They are seven points off Athletic Bilbao in fifth currently with an outside chance of another spot for the European places still to come.
Although it looks unlikely at this stage, Zakharyan has played in the
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