Bill Goldberg: 'Wheels In Motion' for WWE Return

Get ready for a snowball in hell ... 'cause sources tell TMZ Sports pro wrestling legend Bill Goldberg is in talks with WWE honchos about a possible return to the squared circle.

It's huge news considering Goldberg HATED Vince McMahon when he left WWE back in 2004 -- and repeatedly vowed to never work for the company ever again.

But Goldberg recently struck a deal to appear in the WWE 2K17 video game -- and sources tell us the two sides are now talking about expanding their working relationship.

In fact, when we shot Goldberg out last week ... we noticed that his anti-WWE stance has softened in a big way ... and said he would even entertain an offer if company officials wanted to make a deal.

"Life's too short to dwell upon past differences," Goldberg told us ... who also pointed out that he's 49 years old and the "clock's ticking."

One plugged in source tells us Goldberg's people have been in touch with the WWE about a return and "the wheels are in motion."

We reached out to Goldberg's rep, Uncle Louie, but he had no comment.

Stay tuned ...