Dynamo Moscow director Dmitry Gafin has confirmed Chelsea made an offer for Arsen Zakharyan.
Chelsea were prepared to meet the €15m buyout clause in the winger's deal, though there were doubts about how Dynamo would receive the money due to sanctions on Russia.
Gafin told Sport-Express: "We contacted the club and started talking.
"What did we feel? Of course, this is very nice and flattering.
"Arsen's progress happened before our eyes. I remember very well how Arsen went out at the age of 17 at the stadium in Saransk against Tambov. I remember how he scored the first goal against Akhmat.
"Such progress is pleasant and flattering."