Chelsea are actively negotiating a payoff with manager Antonio Conte.
The Mirror says Conte's huge Chelsea compensation requirements has delayed his departure from Stamford Bridge.
The Italian is due around £10million if he leaves Stamford Bridge and a game of cat and mouse has now begun.
It is the worst-kept secret in football that the 48-year-old will be shown the door – and the enormous compensation package is the reason why no announcement has yet been made.
Former title-winners Chelsea are banking on that happening shortly after the season ends – and that will allow them to save millions by reaching a compromise on his current contract.