Russian football prodigy at center of citizenship claims

Arsen Zakharyan is his country’s brightest young football star

Football officials in Armenia have denied any contact with teenage Russian football star Arsen Zakharyan, after claims he was considering acquiring Armenian citizenship ahead of a potential move to English Premier League team Chelsea.

Zakharyan, 19, was on the verge of joining Chelsea during the summer transfer window but a deal fell through over issues reportedly linked to sanctions on Russia and difficulty transferring the €15 million ($15.4 million) payment to Zakharyan’s current club, Dynamo Moscow.

Chelsea and Dynamo are reported to have a “verbal agreement” in place to return to the deal in January.

READ MORE: Chelsea keeping tabs on Russian prodigy – media

Ahead of the transfer window re-opening at the start of 2023, football journalist Hrach Khachatryan has claimed that Zakharyan is considering asking for Armenian citizenship.

“Arsen Zakharyan is considering requesting Armenian citizenship. This is almost certainly due to his potential transfer in January,” tweeted Khachatryan.

“However, there is also a chance that FIFA could make an exception and let him represent the Armenia national team instead of Russia.”