However, Rafa Benitez is now thought to be weighing up a move for the highly-rated defender, who impressed in Russia's run to the semi-finals of Euro 2008.
According to reports, Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink has instructed Blues owner Abramovich to splash out £15 million on the player in the summer to boost the Stamford Bridge side's squad.
And CSKA Moscow chief Zico has hinted that Zhirkov will soon by plying his trade in west London, insisting the player would be a huge success in the Premier League.
“Zhirkov is a player of such high level, he would only show all his potential playing in such a strong competition as the English Premier League," he said.
“He’d easily fit into Chelsea’s first-choice team. I don’t like to lose him, but I won’t stop his move to London.”
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