CSKA Moscow midfielder Yuri Zhirkov is back in the sights of Chelsea.

The Daily Mail says Chelsea are set to reignite their interest in Russia winger Yuri Zhirkov after being told by Guus Hiddink to make the signing their No 1 summer priority.

Hiddink is officially only in charge at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season but the Dutchman already appears to be planning for the future, according to reports in Russia.

Chelsea took a look at the 25-year-old CSKA Moscow player last month but decided to wait until the summer before splashing out.

The west London club face competition for Zhirkov from Barcelona and, in particular, from Juventus. But Chelsea will be confident that owner Roman Abramovich's close relationship with CSKA supremo Yevgeni Giner will give them the upper hand.

Hiddink considers Zhirkov one of the best left wingers in the world and, after Euro 2008, said: "Zhyrkov plays very modern game. He's capable of covering all the left side of the pitch alone.

"A player can only do this if he has brilliant technical skills and physical condition. He's top class footballer."