Dynamo Moscow youngster Arsen Zakharyan has hinted that he is still interested in signing for Chelsea in the future.
The 19-year-old has emerged as one of Russian football's top prospects in recent years, already becoming a star name at his current club.
Zakharyan, a creative midfielder, has contributed 13 goals and 16 assists from 55 appearances in the first team.
His development has inevitably led to interested glances from elsewhere, despite the current political situation with his homeland having launched a military invasion of Ukraine.
Those such issues seemingly put paid to a transfer to Chelsea towards the end of the summer window, with sanctions preventing the transfer of the necessary funds to finalise a deal.
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With clubs now unable to buy players until the start of 2023, Zakharyan has now spoken on the proposal which was put forward by the Premier League giants in recent weeks.
Talking to Sport Express in Russia, 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. The next window? Maybe. 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."
When it became apparent that a transfer was not feasible at the current time, talk emerged of Zakharyan considering the possibility of changing his nationality in order to facilitate a move.
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However, speaking to the same outlet, Zakharyan rejected those claims, adding: "I didn't intend to change anything. I was going to play there and nothing else."
Chelsea are said to have activated Zakharyan's release clause, said to be set at £12.6m, and it would have continued their spending spree under the club's new owners.
Co-owner and interim sporting director Todd Boehly has been prepared to invest in a wide array of prospects with as many as seven youngsters being acquired to boost the Under-21s and occupy a spot on the fringes of the senior squad.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel already has six senior options for the centre of his midfield, with Mason Mount and Carney Chukwuemeka also available to deputise there if required.
Darren Plant
