JOSE MOURINHO has been rebuilding his relationship with Roman Abramovich.

Former Chelsea manager Mourinho and the club owner have shared cosy chats at least three times in the last six weeks.

The news comes just 24 hours after the Special One’s successor, Avram Grant, was summoned to Stamford Bridge for crunch talks with chief executive Peter Kenyon.

Ex-Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard remains favourite to take over, while Mourinho is expected to join Inter Milan.

However, a senior club source revealed: “After Jose left, it took a while before he and Roman spoke. But they did and it was amicable.

"It has become much more frequent and friendly over the last few weeks and it looks like bridges are being rebuilt.

"Other directors have also talked to Jose and the bad blood from before has disappeared.”

One senior official has confirmed the prospect of Mourinho returning HAS been discussed.

But it is more realistic the ex-Porto chief will go back to Chelsea after the NEXT manager has served his term.

Meanwhile, Grant is negotiating his pay-off from the club, which is in the region of £5million.

The Israeli had three years of his £2.4m-a-year deal to run and has decided he wants to find another manager’s job rather than go back to being Blues director of football.

He has said thank you and goodbye to players over the last two days.