Mourinho brought the Ghana international to Chelsea for ?24million in 2005.
In the spotlight: Essien could leave Stamford Bridge this summer
Essien has three years left on his current deal at Stamford Bridge and has been a Chelsea mainstay but has missed significant parts of the past two seasons with cartilage and ligament problems in both knees.
The Ghana star's absence coincided with Chelsea's mid-season slump last term, in which the Blues went on the club's worst run in the league for almost 15 years and saw them crash from top to fifth in the table.
All smiles: Mourinho signed Essien for ?24million in 2005
The Daily Express are however, reporting that Chelsea could be prepared to let him leave for an offer in the region of ?18m in the summer.
But Real Madrid's move for the 28-year-old could be scuppered by Chelsea's interest in Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder, with Essien likely to be involved in any deal.
Sneijder has opened the door on a move to the Barclays Premier League, after hinting his future could lie away from the San Siro.
Sneijder said: 'The Inter fans were wonderful and I want to simply say thanks to them. Then, only God will decide where my future lies.'
?AC Milan add ?18m Chelsea enforcer Essien to summer shopping listRodwell on radar for London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham as United and City also lurkChelsea FC news, features and opinion ?Explore more:People: Wesley Sneijder, Michael Essien, Jose Mourinho Places: Ghana
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail