Roman Abramovich is ready to break the bank to bring former manager Jose Mourinho back to Chelsea this summer, according to The Daily Mail.

The Blues have done well under interim boss Roberto Di Matteo but it is widely believed that the Russian oil tycoon is eager to bring a big-name coach to Stamford Bridge.

The newspaper state that the Blues will offer the Portuguese trainer £9 million a year after tax, and pay current employers Real Madrid £25 million in compensation.

'The Special One' is on the verge of sealing the La Liga title after beating Barcelona 2-1 at the Nou Camp on Saturday, and is also chasing Champions League glory with a semi-final against Bayern Munich hanging in the balance.

However, Mourinho has been agitated by the Spanish media, and rumours continue that he could walk away from the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer.

Other candidates for the Chelsea position according to the newspaper are France boss Laurent Blanc, Marseille's Laurent Blanc and Zenit St Petersburg manager Luciano Spalletti.

By Gareth McKnight