Barcelona are reported to have agreed terms with Real Zaragoza defender Gabriel Milito.
The 26-year-old Argentine international is set to move to Camp Nou after four seasons with Zaragoza.
However, the two clubs are yet to agree terms with Barca failing to meet Zaragoza's demands thus far.
Barca have tried to incorporate both Thiago Motta and Santiago Ezquerro, but Zaragoza want straight cash for the central defender and are holding out for €18 million (£12.1million).
Frank Rijkaard firmed up his interest in Milito, after Cristian Chivu insisted he did not want to move to Spain to either Barca or Real Madrid.
Milito's arrival could also mean that Rafael Marquez becomes surplus to requirements, with Atletico Madrid being strongly linked with a bid.
Meanwhile, Zaragoza are also set to sell midfielder Angel Lafita to Deportivo La Coruna.
The move will see Lafita pen a permanent deal with Deportivo - but Zaragoza will have a buy-back clause in which they can sign him back next summer.
The deal is similar to the one which saw Deportivo sign Javier Arizmendi form Atletico Madrid last summer, although they have now lost him to Valencia.
The final details of Arizmendi's deal to Valencia were tied up this week, with Atletico buying him back then selling him straight to the Mestalla club.