Chelsea transfer strategy continues as Boehly set to activate £12.6m clause

Chelsea are reportedly ready to pull the trigger on a €15million (£12.6m) deal for Dynamo Moscow starlet Arsen Zakharyan as they continue to hoover up some of Europe's top young talent.

The Blues have been active in the transfer market under their new owner, Todd Boehly, after months of uncertainty at Stamford Bridge. The American has promised Thomas Tuchel funds to bolster his squad with the Londoners expected to be busy before the September 1 deadline.

While Tuchel has been scouring the market for players to slot straight into his first-team plans, Chelsea have also been planning for the future by striking a number of astute deals for some of Europe's top young stars.

The Blues have already captured Cesare Casadei and Carney Chukwuemeka from Inter Milan and Aston Villa respectively, while goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina has also been snapped up from MLS outfit Chicago Fire.

And according to a new report from Russian outlet Sport-Express, Zakharyan could be the latest teenage talent to be lured to Stamford Bridge, with the Blues ready to trigger the 19-year-old's £12.6m release clause before the transfer window slams shut next week.

Zakharyan has been courted by some of Europe's biggest clubs since making his senior bow for Dynamo Moscow back in November 2020. Manchester City, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma have all been credited with an interest in the midfielder, who was crowned Dynamo's player of the year for a second consecutive time last term.

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But it is Chelsea who are in pole position to land the coveted youngster, who notched nine goals and nine assist for Dynamo last term. Zakharyan's agent confirmed to another Russian outlet, RB Sport, that Chelsea's interest is genuine and that a deal is "close".

Meanwhile, the Blues are continuing their pursuit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with time running out to get a deal for the former Arsenal captain done before next week's deadline.

Barcelona are open to offloading the Gabon striker just seven months after offering him and escape route after he was frozen out by Mikel Arteta. However, Chelsea have yet to come to an agreement with the Spanish giants for the striker, who is thought to be open on a return to the Premier League.

Chelsea are also planning to make one final attempt to prise Wesley Fofana away from Leicester City before the deadline, with the Blues reportedly ready to table a new £75m bid for the centre-half in a bid to convince the Foxes to cash in on the Frenchman.