Chelsea 'could be set to miss out on £37m' after Mourinho was sacked by Roma

Chelsea may be counting the cost of Jose Mourinho's sacking by Roma amid a report of a secret deal between the Serie A side and the Blues.

The Italian outfit parted ways with Mourinho on Tuesday, ending a two-and-a-half year spell that yielded the club's first continental trophy.

However, following a dismal run of form, the Roma board took the decision to relieve the ex-Chelsea boss of his duties and have installed club legend Daniele de Rossi at the helm on an interim basis.

This move may have lasting consequences for the Blues, who have striker Romelu Lukaku on loan at the club.

Mourinho was a key factor in the Belgian outcast moving to the Stadio Olimpico last summer and despite there being no public agreement of a future permanent fee, according to The Sun, the side's had negotiated a £37million purchase option for the 30-year-old.

The outlet claim that the deal is now in 'jeopardy' following De Rossi's appointment, with it unclear how or indeed if the World Cup winner will use the forward.

Lukaku has scored 14 goals in all competitions for Roma, making him the side's top scorer this term.

He has featured in all but one of their league outings, missing only a 2-0 defeat to Bologna in December through suspension.

Roma's poor form has seen them slide to ninth in the table, though they remain just five points off a top four spot.

The side welcome relegation-threatened Verona in their next league fixture on Saturday evening.