Chelsea are looking at chasing Chinese cash again this summer by heading for football's emerging nouveau-riche market in pre-season.

The Premier League leaders have been in discussions about a mooted tour of Asia which would take in a trip to Beijing followed by a stop-off in Japan.

Club chiefs are keen to boost the Blues' profile in China in particular after a transfer window that has seen two stars depart for the country's domestic Super League.

Chelsea could embark on a tour of China and Japan in pre-season this summer

Antonio Conte and Co could make a trip to Beijing in late July ahead of the 2017-18 campaign

Oscar, a £52million purchase for Shanghai SIPG, and Tianjin TEDA's John Mikel Obi both departed Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

Former Chelsea players Ramires, Demba Ba and Gael Kakuta are also among those plying their trade in the Chinese Super League.

Antonio Conte's side would likely begin their preparations for the 2017-18 season on tour in late July.

That could include action in the International Champions Cup tournament, which Manchester City and Manchester United took part in the Asian leg of last year alongside Borussia Dortmund.

Chelsea instead opted for the America section of the big-money pre-season competition after a training camp in Austria.

The Blues have already had dealings with China this season, with Oscar joining Shanghai SIPG

It is four years since Chelsea's last pre-season in Asia, although they did visit on a post-season trip to play Thailand All-Stars in Bangkok in the summer of 2015.

Sportsmail revealed last month that Arsenal had held talks over playing in China and India this summer.

Meanwhile, Chelsea expect two of the upcoming hurdles for the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge to pass without significant difficulty.

Chelsea Pitch Owners, who own the stadium's freehold, are unlikely to prevent the club from playing away from their historic home for the three seasons needed for the rebuild.

And Sportsmail understands it is unlikely that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan would step in to block the revamp plans.