Manchester City have failed in their bid to land Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini.

The Italy Under-21 international has emerged as Sven Goran Eriksson’s latest target and Chiellini has made no secret of his desire to move to England.

However, after initially suggesting that they would not block a move, Juve appear to have had undergone a change of heart.

“Our position is not to accept Man City’s offer for Chiellini,” said club president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli. “The player remains in our plans.”