Dynamo Moscow midfielder Arsen Zakharyan has declared he only wants to join Chelsea despite interest from other clubs.

The Blues wanted to sign the 19-year-old in the summer and were ready to pay his £12.6m release clause, but were blocked from doing so due to sanctions on Russia, not allowing British clubs to give money to Russian clubs.

“My agents and my club have told me that a request has come from Chelsea. I have directly said my position is that I want to join Chelsea,” Zakharyan told Russia’s Comment Show.

“I know that there is a good competition in my position with Mount, Havertz, Gallagher, so I don’t mind going on loan to adapt to the European league.

“I was stressed because I wanted this transfer. Right now I have Chelsea and I want to go to Chelsea. I know that other clubs are interested in me, I am proud of that but I want to go to Chelsea.”

There was suggestion that the teenager could switch nationality in order to help a move, but it is not something he wants to do, having already played for Russia.

“I don’t want to change nationality to transfer to Chelsea, we have to find another way,” the midfielder said. “I was proud to start for Russia.”