Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich faces a hefty payout if he is to sack Antonio Conte.

Conte was rewarded with a bumper new contract last summer that runs until 2021 after guiding the Blues to the championship.

Club director Marina Granovskaia hoped the 48-year-old could "continue to deliver results both domestically and [in] the Champions League."

The Blues face a crunch last-16 clash against Barcelona and defeat against the Catalans could be the final nail in Conte's coffin, says the Mirror.

However, it is claimed Roman Abramovich would have to cough up a staggering £26.7million in severance pay to show the former Juventus boss the door.