With his contract set to expire in July and an extension unlikely to be signed before then, Chelsea will strive to recruit Jefferson Farfan to the Blues’ cause this summer.

The Peruvian international has claimed that top clubs from around Europe are chasing his signatures and turned down any extension offers from current club Schalke 04 as a result.

The German outfit were prepared to pay Farfan more than double what he is currently earning in a deal that would keep him at the Veltins-Arena until 2014 but after rejecting the offer, the speedster will now leave Gelsenkirchen on a free transfer in six months time.

Reports suggested that Schalke were willing to cash in on their winger for a fee of around £6m in January but it seems that sides are wiling to wait in order to snap the player up as a free agent.

Internazionale are another side known to have shown interest in Farfan and will pose considerable competition to Andre Villas Boas side who, despite signing Kevin de Bruyne last month, are thought to be in the market for a winger with Shakhtar Donetsk’s Willian also in the picture for a move to Stamford Bride.

Adam Johnson and Eden Hazard are two other players capable of operating from the wing positions being linked with a move to the West London outfit and with Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda both expected to leave on free transfer in the summer, replacements will surely be needed.

Farfan has made 119 appearances in the German top flight, scoring 30 goals for Schalke 04.

The 27 year-old has also played for the Peruvian national side since 2003, earning 42 caps for La Rojiblanca.

Hoffenheim’s Chinedu Obasi has already been targeted as a replacement for Farfan, who looks destined to move on to greener pastures in July.