FORMER Manchester United star Gary Neville has sold his sprawling Harwood home to the owners of a rival football team, The Bolton News can reveal.

The Rao family, whose Venkys poultry firm own Blackburn Rovers FC, have shelled out about £5.5 million for the plush pad, it is believed.

The sale comes after weeks of speculation that the family, who took control of the East Lancashire club last year, were looking to use the house as their UK base.

Tim Waring, a partner at agents Knight Frank who handled the sale, would not confirm the identity of the buyer.

He said: “All I can say is Alexander House has now been sold.”

However, a source close to the Rao family confirmed they were purchasing the luxury property.

The home features five to seven bedrooms, a gym, cinema and games/entertaining room as well as a separate two-bedroom cottage, which is currently used as an office for Mr N ev i l l e ’ s S i g n a t u r e Developments construction business.

The Rao family were also said to be interested in Rovers star David Dunn’s £3 million mansion in the Ribble Valley, but have decided to purchase Mr Neville’s home instead.

The site in Tottington Road is being sold after Mr Neville won planning permission for his eco home — likened by some critics to the Teletubbies children’s TV show set.

The futuristic £8 million development, which has won plaudits from influential architectural and environmental groups, will be built into the side of the West Pennine Moors within the former defender’s estate — meaning the Raos could have the former England defender and his wife Emma as neighbours.

The couple spent three years designing it and included a wind turbine, which would also power the Rao’s new home.