Barcelona have accelerated their interest in out of contract duo Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie ahead of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea defender Christensen and AC Milan midfielder Kessie are top of their wish list as they to improve drastically after crashing out of the Champions League before the knock-out stage this season.
Christensen’s Chelsea contract expires at the end of the season and the Danish international defender is edging very close to completing a switch to the LaLiga side as well as Kessie, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The 25-year-old joined Chelsea from Brondby aged 15 in 2012, which would see his 10-year stay come to an end.
He has gone on to make more than 88 appearances in the Premier League for the Blues - helping the west London side win multiple trophies, including last season's Champions League.
The centre-back has only played once in the Premier League since the end of December, though, having recently been absent through injury and Covid.
Although, it is not a done deal, and he could yet remain at Chelsea - Barca know they have to fend off interest from the likes of Bayern Munich with a exit from Stamford Bridge looking likely.
Speaking about his contract situation last week, Christensen said: ‘Things can still be done. Being part of a winning team is all that I want to be as a football player.
‘It’s hard because all the talks between the club and my guys, I try to keep it away because I want to focus and it’s not changed for me.
‘I go on the pitch every day not really thinking about it. I leave that to the club and my guys, and I can focus on playing football.
‘I just focus on winning, really. It’s a difficult situation.’
Kessie, 25, has attracted significant interest from top European clubs after he announced he will not be signing a new contract with the Rossonneri earlier this year.
Kessie has impressed as a powerful and versatile midfielder since switching from Atalanta to the San Siro in 2019.
He has made more than 205 appearances for the club, during which time he has scored 35 goals and has provided 16 assists.
Barca see Kessie as the long-term solution to an aging Sergio Busquets, who turns 34 in July, although much like Christensen they face plenty of competition to capture his signature.