Dynamo Moscow director Dmitry Gafin has not ruled out Russian midfielder Arsen Zakharyan moving to Chelsea this January after a transfer broke down in the summer. Gafin stopped short of suggesting that his team had provided the Blues with permission to speak to the 19-year-old midfielder however.
Earlier this month the young starlet suggested that negotiations were underway and in September told the Evening Standard that he had agreed to the move in the summer.
Zakharyan said: "There was an offer, but it just didn't work out. You probably know the reasons. How could I refuse? Of course, I agreed [to the move]. I hope everything will be fine, perhaps [it will happen] in the winter [window]. Of course, the level there is much higher than in the Russian Premier League, but everything is possible. Maybe it would work there. I could always go on loan."
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It appears that the Blues will need to come to an agreement once again with Dynamo Moscow however. The club's representative was coy when approaching the subject of Chelsea and Zakharyan.
Gafin told TASS: "We cannot rule out the resumption of history with Chelsea in winter, I cannot comment on the information that appears and will appear.
"Regarding his alleged contract with Chelsea, we don't know anything about this, we did not give permission for such contacts. I think this is from the rumour mill."
The move looked to be close in the summer but found additional complications due to British sanctions placed on Russia, and rules and regulations set by FIFA on the transfers of Russia or Ukraine-based players. Ahead of transfer deadline day, the Moscow club released a statement, suggesting the transfer is one they are happy to revisit at a later date.
It read: "On August 25, FC Dynamo received an offer from the English football club Chelsea regarding the transfer of midfielder Arsen Zakharyan. The interest of one of the strongest clubs in the world to the graduate of our club academy is a high assessment of the quality of training of young football players of Dynamo and Arsene's playing progress.
"For several days, there were substantive negotiations between Dynamo and Chelsea, in which our club took a constructive position. However, due to a number of technical reasons beyond our control, it is not possible to transfer the player to this summer transfer window. Nevertheless, our club remains open to proposals that will suit Dynamo and the player.
"At the moment, the parties have decided that Arsene will continue to play for Dynamo."
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