Manchester United WILL sell Wayne Rooney to Chelsea once they welcome home Cristiano Ronaldo this month.

The Daily Star says United and Real Madrid have spent the past 12 days negotiating an £80m package - and the Premier League champions are increasingly confident of getting their man.

The bid for Real ace is one of the reasons why Rooney's proposed move to Chelsea has been held up.

Despite public claims they do not want to sell the wantaway England star, United would be willing to do business once they can get in a marquee signing of their own.