Chelsea will not sign Arsen Zakharyan this summer but could return for the Dynamo Moscow midfielder as early as January amid the complex rules around the transfer of Russian players.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has restricted the movement of money and people into the country, which has had the knock-on effect of disrupting this summer’s transfer market.
The 19-year-old, who has already made four appearances for his national team, wants to move to a European club and was keen to accept a proposal from Stamford Bridge.
Super agent Rafaela Pimenta has been trying to mastermind the complex deal but the clubs have decided to wait until after the transfer window closes to re-open talks.
Chelsea initially contacted the Moscow club on August 25 to inform them of their interest in paying Zakharyan’s £12.6m release clause. Two days later, Pimenta was a guest of the owners in their box at Stamford Bridge.
Dynamo announced the end of the transfer saga on deadline day but the Blues are expected to renew their interest.
It followed Pimenta also confirming that negotiations had ended but alternative arrangements could still be made, particularly if the war somehow finds a resolution.
Chelsea's new Boehly-Clearlake owners see no limits placed on the club in terms of transfer spending and are keen to push the academy to the next level under Neil Bath.
Zakharyan was seen as a signing for the future, rather than immediately for the first-team, similar to new signings Carney Chukwuemeka and Inter's Cesare Casadei - who were signed for a combined £35m from Aston Villa and Inter Milan respectively.
A Dynamo statement on Thursday confirmed: “For several days, there have been intense negotiations between Dynamo and Chelsea, in which our club took a constructive position.
“However, it is not possible to transfer a player in this summer transfer window for a number of technical reasons beyond our control. Nevertheless, Dynamo remain open to offers that will suit the club and the football player. At the moment, the parties have decided that Arsen will continue playing for Dynamo.”
