Roma must reportedly qualify for next season's Champions League in order to retain the services of Paulo Dybala.
After a seven-year spell with Juventus came to an end in the summer, it appeared that Dybala would be signing for Inter Milan.
However, a proposed transfer to San Siro broke down, eventually leading to the Argentina international opting to sign for Roma.
The deal was regarded as a considerable coup for Jose Mourinho, who had guided his team to the Europa Conference League trophy in 2021-22.
Although the 29-year-old has seen his season disrupted by injury, he has still contributed seven goals and two assists from his 12 appearances in all competitions.
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Nevertheless, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, there is a scenario where Dybala may last just one year at Stadio Olimpcio.
The report claims that a clause worth €20m (£17.5m) can be activated if Roma do not secure a place in the Champions League for 2023-24.
For that to happen, I Giallorossi will either have to finish in the top four of the Serie A table or win the Europa League.
Mourinho watched his side only scrape through to the last 32 of the latter courtesy of a comeback win over Ludogorets Razgrad in their final group game.
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That has set up a two-legged tie with Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg, Roma having to play the second leg at a ground where their opponents were recently unbeaten in 40 matches until Chelsea edged out them last month.
Although finishing in fourth position or higher in Italy's top flight is seemingly more realistic, Roma are currently down in seventh position, three points adrift of their target.
Roma won just one of their five matches immediately before the break for the World Cup, dropping points against Sassuolo and Torino.
Mourinho's team are not back in competitive action until January 4 when they host Bologna, four days before making the trip to San Siro to play AC Milan.
Darren Plant
