Barcelona are poised to sign Real Zaragoza’s Argentine defender Gabriel Milito, president Joan Laporta has confirmed.

“It is practically done. After yesterday’s conversations it could happen this morning,” Laporta told Catalunya Radio.

Barcelona have been looking to bolster their defence after centre-back Carles Puyol picked up a knee ligament injury that will rule him out of the start of next season.

Milito, 26, who is currently on duty with Argentina at the Copa America, will cost Barca €20m.

He would become the club’s fourth signing of the summer after France striker Thierry Henry, Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure and France left back Eric Abidal.