Russian teenager in ‘final stages’ of joining Chelsea

Russian prodigy Arsen Zakharyan could become the youngest youngster to join Todd Boehly’s Chelsea revolution as the club’s new American owner continues to soak up some of world football’s most sought-after talent.

Dynamo Moscow star Sacharyan, 19, who was named the Russian Premier League’s most promising young player by the Football Union of Russia earlier this summer, is reportedly in the “last stage” according to football reporter Nicolo Schira to seal a deal with the London club and is expected to sign a six-year contract with Thomas Tuchel’s team.

This follows reports on Thursday that Chelsea have bid €15m (£12.7m) for the creative midfielder’s services.

Sacharyan, who made four caps for the Russia national team, has been linked with a number of top European clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona after a string of impressive performances for Dynamo Moscow over the past two seasons, but it seems Chelsea have stole a march from his rivals to secure the player’s signature.

He was previously Russia’s youngest-ever outfield player when he made his national team debut in September 2021 aged just 18 years, 3 months and 5 days.

Should the deal go through, Zakharyan would join an influx of top young talent at Stamford Bridge.

The club, now owned by a consortium led by US businessman Boehly following the sale of Roman Abramovich in May, have shown a concerted strategy in securing the club’s future by signing some of the best talent in world football.

In addition to chasing Zakharyan, Chelsea have signed highly-rated American goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina from MLS side Chicago Fire in recent weeks, as well as young Englishman Carney Chukwuemeka from Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

The London club have also signed Inter Milan midfielder Cesare Casadei, 19, and ex-Arsenal youngster Omari Hutchinson.

Each of the signings have been handed six-year deals as Chelsea look to attract a host of promising players to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City at the Premier League summit.

Zakaryan would become the third Russian player to feature for Chelsea in the last two decades should he sign, following in the footsteps of ex-captain Alexei Smertin and winger Yuri Zhirkov.