Chelsea are set to ‘roll out the red carpet’ in a bid to sign Dynamo Moscow midfielder Arsen Zakharyan, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Zakharyan wants to join Chelsea

The Premier League giants had agreed a fee to sign the Russian over the summer, although a deal was blocked shortly before the deadline due to restrictions surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine.

However, the 19-year-old has now handed his west London admirers a second chance after recently admitting that he wants to move to Stamford Bridge in January, with Todd Boehly ready to meet the player's £12.6m release clause.

The Latest: Chelsea ‘ready’ to pursue Zakharyan

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones revealed that Chelsea are making it a priority to secure Zakharyan in the New Year and claimed that he wouldn’t be shocked to see them approach the player again.

He said: “There’s no doubt they still want this guy. He’s a big deal and Chelsea are ready to roll out the red carpet for him, in many ways. They want to make him feel special and they want to make him feel wanted.

“They believe that he’s got something very special and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they do try to sign him again.”

The Verdict: Kante replacement?

N’Golo Kante’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, but with negotiations over a new deal having stalled, Zakharyan would be the perfect replacement should the Frenchman depart Chelsea.

Labelled a ‘diamond’ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Russian already has five assists and two goals to his name in just 15 league appearances for Dynamo this term, and he is averaging 2.7 key passes and 1.3 shots per game (WhoScored).

That key passes average far surpasses everyone at Stamford Bridge, while his shots-per-game average would put him fourth in the Blues' squad (WhoScored).

Graham Potter will be presented with the opportunity to bring in his own players for the first time as Chelsea manager during the winter, and Zakharyan looks like one who's worth splashing the cash on.