An interesting development is happening now ahead of a big January window for Chelsea.
Arsen Zakharyan, the Dynamo Moscow attacking midfielder, will apparently apply to Armenia this month to apply for a passport there. That’s according to Hrach Khachatryan, an Armenian journalist.
The 19 year old is a Russian citizen but with Armenian parents, so one can only assume it will be fairly straightforward for him.
🚨🚨🚨Arsen Zakharyan will fly to Armenia in December to apply for Armenian citizenship. This will make obtaining a work visa in the UK simpler.
It is noted that there is no talk of changing sports citizenship. Zakharyan will remain Russia NT player [via Sports,ru]#CFC 🔵 pic.twitter.com/rW0MNVAPEM— Hrach Khachatryan (@hrachoff) November 16, 2022
Once he has Armenian citizenship, he will be able to avoid a lot of the difficulties associated with employing Russians on a UK work visa following the invasion of Ukraine.
Zakharyan been strongly linked with a transfer to multiple clubs, but has repeatedly stated his preference for Chelsea. Wherever he ends up going however, this move will make it easier.
The question of paying a transfer fee to Dinamo Moscow is another thorny one – but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
