AC Milan are ready to make a bid for Barcelona captain Carles Puyol. Milan see Puyol as the ideal leader their defence will be missing next season with the retirement of Paolo Maldini - and potentially Alessandro Nesta.

Tuttosport says Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani wants a new striker, but also a defensive partner for Thiago Silva - and Puyol is his No1 choice.

"Milan are the only team I'd leave Barca for," Puyol has said previously.