Manchester United ARE prepared to sell Wayne Rooney to Chelsea - but only after they have a deal for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The Daily Star says the champions want to make a marquee signing before letting Rooney go - and have told the Blues to hold off making a second bid until then.

Chelsea have already had a £20m bid for Rooney rejected, but boss Jose Mourinho remains confident he will get the 27-year-old.

United boss David Moyes and the Old Trafford hierarchy want to bring in Fabregas first - they have lodged a second offer with Barcelona, thought to be around £30m, for the Spanish midfielder.

That has been rebuffed but United will continue fighting to get their man.