Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is chasing Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini.

The News of the World says both Manchester clubs have been tracking the Juventus defender this season and the player's agent, Davide Lippi, was present at the Carling Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

United boss Ferguson has given up on convincing £25million-rated Nemanja Vidic to stay beyond this campaign and is now hot favourite to snap up Chiellini, 25, for £12m.

Fergie is prepared to wait for the Italian, who becomes available at the end of the season, but City chief Roberto Mancini wants to boost his squad now.