Arsen Zakharyan's agent dismisses reports of Real Sociedad exit as 'fake news'

Real Sociedad midfielder Arsen Zakharyan’s agent has dismissed reports that coach Pellegrino Matarazzo no longer wants the Russian in his squad, calling the claims “fake news”.

Spanish outlet COPE had reported that Matarazzo told several players, including Zakharyan, they were not in his plans. But the Basque club told Russia’s Match TV on Friday that speculation about Zakharyan’s departure was false.

“As Donald Trump says, it’s fake news. Nothing corresponds to reality. There have been no conversations with anyone. Arsen is training with the team,” agent Gennady Golubin told Match TV.

Zakharyan, 22, joined Sociedad from Dynamo Moscow in the summer of 2023 on a contract running until mid-2029. He has made 16 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring once.