• Primera Liga

Chelsea 'to rival' United for Ronaldo

Chelsea are ready to rival Manchester United for the signature of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

Ronaldo's future has been a topic of debate in recent months, with it being claimed United want to bring the Portuguese back to Old Trafford.

The retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson has clouded the issue to an extent, but it is still felt that United are still keen to secure the services of Ronaldo and will test Real's resolve with a summer bid.

The Daily Mail claim United will face competition from Chelsea if, as expected, Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge.

Ronaldo has been the key cog in Mourinho's Real Madrid engine and the latter wants to keep the partnership together.

Mourinho is being widely tipped to head back to Chelsea from Real this summer and outgoing Blues boss Rafael Benitez said this week that he expects the club to spend £85 million in the summer.

There is no doubt Blues owner Roman Abramovich will give his new manager a substantial transfer kitty and the Mail believe Mourinho has told the club that they must try and secure the services of Ronaldo this summer.

Mourinho is still reeling from his side's defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey final and the Portuguese has admitted the campaign - which saw Barcelona win the Primera Liga - has been the worst of his career.

In his post-match press conference, Mourinho was again pressed on his future and, again, he was giving little away.

"I have a contract that is valid for three more years. I still haven't talked to the president about my future," Mourinho said. "I think it's normal that they talk about Ancelotti. That's normal, if I go to Chelsea, or here or there... that's normal for people to talk about that. We will make it official when me and the president sit down and decide what to do."

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