Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini is in the sights of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The News of the World says Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has already earmarked the £12m-rated centre back as one of his top priorities in the midst of his side's patchy form and injury crisis.

But United have serious defensive problems of their own and watching makeshift centre halves Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick ship three goals at Fulham last weekend has forced Fergie to look for experience in the January transfer window.

Chiellini has mentioned on more than one occasion that all is not well at Juventus and is ready to test himself in England.

Chiellini's agent Davide Lippi said: "It will be difficult for such an important player like Chiellini to leave Juventus but we will see what happens in January.

"I have not heard anything from Mancini yet but I could not rule out a move to Manchester."