Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho remains a major target for Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. The Mail on Sunday says the Russian owner and Mourinho parted on bad terms in 2007 but relations have improved to such an extent since that wages of more than £9million a year - after tax - and a compensation bill from Madrid of £25m would be sanctioned.

A Chelsea source said: "Such is Roman's determination to bring back Mourinho that he is prepared to top Jose's Madrid wages and pay compensation to buy out the remaining two years of his contract."