Chelsea missed out on the signing of Arsen Zakharyan because he preferred a “more interesting” move to Real Sociedad, the player has claimed.
The Russian winger was a long-term target for the Blues before he departed Dynamo Moscow in a £10.3million deal during the summer transfer window.
Twice Chelsea’s bids came unstuck due to British sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, with a plan to sign him via sister club Strasbourg also failing.
Instead, he put pen to paper on a five-year deal with Real Sociedad, where he made his first two appearances off the bench before the international break.
Zakharyan, 20, has opened up on why he ended up in San Sebastian over west London.
“For me, it was more interesting to come to Real Sociedad than to Chelsea,” Zakharyan said.
“It was also a more realistic option.
“I realised that I was already a Real player when I signed, I was worried about some issues during the negotiation but now… here I am.”
