Dynamo Moscow winger Arsen Zakharyan says Chelsea have been following him for much of the year.
Chelsea made an attempt for the Russian last month and have agreed with Dynamo to revisit talks in January.
Asked how his teammates took to the story, Zakharyan laughed: "They teased me. They joked in the locker room.
"I try and work one hundred percent. Now I'm getting in shape, as I missed part of the preseason a little bit."
On Chelsea's attempt, Zakharyan added: “I knew they were interested in me before. It was winter. Of course, it's nice that such big clubs are following me. I will try more. Yes, something is not working right now, there is criticism against me, but I understand everything.
"I will try to correct the situation."