Chelsea sticking with Russian playmaker
Chelsea continue to be linked with a move to sign Russian starlet Alan Dzagoev and will attempt to sign the attacking midfielder in July.
The 21 year-old’s contract is set to expire in December of this year as the Russian year doesn’t run in accordance with the English, meaning the midfielder will effectively have six months remaining on his deal in the summer.
Dzagoev has attracted a heap of European interest over the past two years including attention from Manchester United, Arsenal, Juventus and AC Milan.
The starlet made his debut for CSKA Moscow in 2008, earning the Russian Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award in his first season as a professional.
The then 19 year-old earned a place in the Russian national squad after his early performances and has since become an important creative cog for the side, earning 17 caps since 2008.
Dzagoev has racked up 148 appearances for CSKA Moscow during his four professional seasons at the Russian outfit, scoring 36 goals and accumulating countless assists.
While the playmaker is known to be enjoying his time playing in Russia, he has previously stated that should he move abroad, the Premier League would be his preferred destination.
Although Aaron Ramsey has done an admirable job filling in a creative slot with the absence of Jack Wilshere, the Gunners still appear to be struggling in their journey to recover from the summer losses of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas.
Claudio Yacob is another midfielder being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer, and although the Argentine would prove more economical as a free transfer, £14m-rated Dzagoev would undoubtedly bring more flair to the faltering North London side.
