Manchester City are eyeing a potential January swoop for Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Pep Guardiola is keen to bolster is defence going into the second half of the season amidst injury problems, and could turn to the veteran Italy international as a solution to his woes at the back.

City are short on numbers in defence, with first-choice left back Benjamin Mendy remaining out after having damaged his cruciate ligament earlier in the season, while Vincent Kompany is in-and-out of fitness with recurring injury problems.

The casualties leave Guardiola with only five defenders to choose from in his squad, and hence the Spaniard is keen to bolster his options, and is ready to launch a bid for Juve’s star defender as a short term solution and to add some much needed experience to his youthful back-four.

Chiellini, 33, is out of contract with The Old Lady at the end of the season, and could be tempted with a move to the Premier League.

The Italy captain has been with Juve for over a decade, and has made over 455 appearances for the club – winning six Serie A titles and three Coppa Italia’s in a trophy-clad career with the Bianconeri.

Barcelona’s Samuel Umitit has also been identified as a potential target, with Pep Guardiola also understood to be keen on the £50 million rated Frenchman.