for image expression java.net.Url shuold be used and the source will be the request like below
<image>
<reportElement x="0" y="0" width="104" height="40"/>
<imageExpression class="java.net.Url">
<![CDATA["http://localhost:8080/geoserver/wms?request=GetMap&service=WMS&version=1.1.1&layers=topp%3Astates&styles=&srs=EPSG%3A4326&bbox=-14.15104058007,21.731919794922,-57.154894212888,58.961058642578&&width=780&height=330&format=image%2Fpng"]]>
</imageExpression>
</image>