Real Sociedad new signing Arsen Zakharyan has aimed a dig at Chelsea after his failed move to Chelsea.

The 20-year-old Russian had been linked with Chelsea in three consecutive transfer windows, but none materialised.

Last summer, Chelsea wanted to trigger Zakharyan’s £12.6m release clause from Dynamo Moscow, but the move fell through due to a number of complications, chiefly the British sanctions placed on Russia amid the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Todd Boehly had wanted to sign the 20-year-old for sister club Strasbourg, before he’d join Chelsea, but Arsen Zakharyan would then choose a move to Real Sociedad instead.

Surprisingly, the 20-year-old has come out to say that he finds Real Sociedad as a more interesting club than Chelsea.

“For me, it was more interesting to come to Real Sociedad than to Chelsea,” Zakharyan said.

“It was also a more realistic option. I realised that I was already a Real player when I signed, I was worried about some issues during the negotiation but now… here I am.”