Chelsea are considering a move for Monaco striker Park Chu Young in an attempt to tap into the burgeoning Asian market. The South Korea World Cup star has been targeted by a number of European teams after his displays in South Africa but the Blues are said to be now ahead in the race to land the striker.

Park’s representatives were in London to meet Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, sporting director Frank Arnesen and chief executive Ron Gourlay before the Blues’ season opener against West Brom to discuss a possible switch to the Premier League and negotiations were reportedly positive.

If Chelsea are willing to sign the 25-year-old, they will have to meet Monaco’s asking price of at least £8 million which would also likely be the last of the club’s summer transfer activity.

Park – who played in all four of South Korea’s games at the World Cup finals where the Asian football kingpins reached the last 16 – is eyed by Chelsea in an effort to tap into the lucrative Far East market. Manchester United have a huge slice of it at the moment through midfielder Park Ji Sung at the club and the Blues are eager to get a slice of the pie with the acquisition of the talented forward, who ranks second only to United’s Park in popularity in South Korea.

In a sign of forward planning, the Blues will be embarking on another Far East tour next summer where they are due to play in Bangkok against a Thailand All Stars XI and plan to add another date in South Korea, whereupon with Park in the squad they would be able to command up to £2 million in match fees as well as generating increased revenue via shirt sales which Asian football fans are known for lapping up without a second thought.

Having a South Korea star at the club would also send a message to one of the club’s sponsors – Samsung – and encourage the massive conglomerate to extend their contract with the team beyond the 2012-2013 season when the current deal runs out.