Who will Barcelona sign this summer? LaLiga club’s transfer targets

AS understands that Barcelona feel they need to strengthen their squad with seven summer signings - unless Frenkie de Jong leaves the club, that is. If the Dutchman moves on, the LaLiga giants would look to bring in nine players.

Here is Barcelona’s summer shopping list:

Andreas Christensen, Chelsea, defender

- deal done

Chelsea centre-back Christensen, 26, is set to join Barça on a free transfer in the summer. The Denmark international will sign on a four-year contract worth five million euros a year. Barça’s backroom team believe Christensen’s arrival will strengthen the defence both physically and in terms of the side’s ability to bring the ball out from the back. He’ll be a considerable upgrade on Clément Lenglet.

Franck Kessié, AC Milan, midfielder

- deal done

AC Milan’s Kessié, 25, will also move to the Camp Nou on a free, signing a four-year contract that includes a six-million-euro annual salary. A box-to-box midfielder with an eye for goal, he’s viewed as a player that will bring something different to the Blaugrana’s options in the engine room. A number of the club’s coaches feel he’s going to be one of the revelations of next season.

César Azpilicueta, Chelsea, defender

Barça’s major target on the right flank. The club admire the Chelsea captain not only because of his ability, but also his leadership. The 32-year-old has reached an agreement with Barça to join on a free transfer on a three-year deal, but there are still important details to be worked out with the defender’s current club. He had obtained Chelsea’s word that the West Londoners wouldn’t trigger an automatic 12-month extension, but the change in ownership could affect that.

Marcos Alonso, Chelsea, defender

In a bid to take some of the burden off Jordi Alba, Barcelona want to add to their left-back options by bringing in Chelsea’s Alonso, 31. He is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2023, so Barça would have to negotiate his departure with the Blues. The chief factor working in the Catalans’ favour is that Alonso is eager to leave Chelsea, and has already made it known that he won’t renew his contract.

Raphinha, winger, Leeds United

The Leeds United left winger, 25, is top of Barcelona’s shopping list as they attempt to reinforce their attacking options out wide. His arrival is not affected by whether or not Ousmane Dembélé stays at the Camp Nou. Barça are waiting to see whether or not Leeds are relegated from the Premier League, as this would trigger a 25-million-euro release clause. His agent, former Barça star Deco, is proving a crucial influence on the deal.

Jules Koundé, Sevilla, defender

The Sevilla centre-back is Barcelona’s chief defensive target. The club have made an initial offer for the 23-year-old - one that would see Barça play 20 million euros and send Sergiño Dest and Lenglet in the opposite direction. Dest is a player that Sevilla sporting director Monchi is very keen on. Barça’s plan B would be to move for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.

Martín Zubimendi, Real Sociedad, midfielder

If Frenkie de Jong leaves Barcelona, Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi, 23, has been identified as a player who can come in for Sergio Busquets at the base of the midfield. Zubimendi has a contract in San Sebastián until 2025, so Barça would have to negotiate with La Real.

Carlos Soler, Valencia, midfielder

Valencia’s Spanish international midfielder is a player Xavi particularly admires. He is under contract at Mestalla until 2023. If De Jong departs this summer, the club will go all out to sign Soler.

Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich, striker

Bayern Munich’s Lewandowski, 33, would be a dream signing for Barça, the cornerstone of Xavi’s project and an attacking focal point whose presence would take the quality of the squad to another level. An agreement is in place with the Poland striker over a three-year deal, but Bayern don’t want to negotiate.