Chelsea set to complete €15m signing as agent says deal is ‘close’

Chelsea are ‘close’ to signing Russian wonderkid Arsen Zakharyan in a £12.6 million deal, according to the 19-year-old’s agent.

The Blues have already spent in excess of £150 million this summer and look set to break the £200 million mark before the transfer window shuts next week.

Speaking to RB Sport, via SportsKeeda, Dynamo Moscow talent Zakharyan’s agent, Pavel Andreev, confirmed that his client is close to joining Thomas Tuchel’s side. Andreev said: “It’s true, a €15 million (£12.6 million) deal is close.”

Transfer insider Gianluca Di Marzio first reported that the Blues had activated the 19-year-old’s release clause and that agent Rafaela Pimenta is in charge of negotiations between the clubs.

#Calciomercato | @ChelseaFC, fatta un’offerta per #Zacharjanhttps://t.co/WcykYSRhOi

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) August 25, 2022

The youngster looks set to seal a move to Stamford Bridge and is seen as one of the most talented young players in Europe, with Boehly continuing to secure deals that will see young talents develop under Tuchel.

Zakharyan played 34 games for Dynamo last season across competitions, scoring seven goals and providing a further eight assists in 29 Premier Liga appearances.

Tuchel has made it clear that he wants to protect his squad heading into future seasons by signing talented youngsters now, allowing them to develop at the club or out on loan before playing a key role in the club’s future success.

The signings of Chukwuemeka, Slonina and Casadei represent huge potential at a low risk with the Blues paying under £20 million for each player.

The arrival of Zakharyan would be yet another impressive coup as Chelsea continue to pursue deals for Wesley Fofana and Anthony Gordon, with both players having the quality to make a difference for Tuchel’s team now despite being aged just 21.