Man United target Argentine defender Coloccini

Argentine Fabricio Coloccini has been targeted by Manchester United to strengthen their much-criticised defence, according to AC Milan general director Areido Braida.

The 19-year-old Argentina youth international, who joined Spanish club Alaves on loan from Milan at the beginning of the season, has been a revelation with a series of dominant displays at the heart of the Basque side's back four.

"We know that Real Madrid or any other club could pay Alaves to take the player," Braida was quoted as saying in Spanish sports daily Marca on Friday. "But the only club that are definitely interested in signing Coloccini are Manchester United."

Alaves, the 2001 UEFA Cup runners-up, have an option to buy Coloccini for 2,500 million pesetas ($13.29 million) at the end of the season, although the Spanish media has speculated that top Spanish clubs including Real Madrid may move in for him.