Copy client files when publishing - asp.net-core

Question

On a Net Core 7 web application I need to build a few client scripts (JS and LESS).
The scripts are in "./approot" and when I run the command npm run build this is done:
Build the files in "./approot" and save the output to "./approot/dist"
Delete the folder "./webroot" with all its contents.
Create a new "./webroot" and copy all files from "./approot/dist" to "./webroot"
So I have the following on project's .csproj file:
<Target Name="Build Client" AfterTargets="Build">
<Exec Command="npm install" />
<Exec Command="npm run build" />
<ItemGroup>
<Content Include="webroot\**">
<CopyToOutputDirectory>Always</CopyToOutputDirectory>
</Content>
</ItemGroup>
</Target>
When I publish the application steps (1) and (2) are done.
However the "./webroot" folder is not copied to publish folder.
So when I upload the web application to the server the client files are not found.
What am I doing wrong?
UPDATE The only way I am able to make this work is using:
<Target Name="Copy Webroot" BeforeTargets="AssignTargetPaths" DependsOnTargets="PrepareForPublish">
<Exec Command="npm install" />
<Exec Command="npm run build" />
<ItemGroup>
<Content Include="webroot/**" CopyToPublishDirectory="Always" />
</ItemGroup>
</Target>
I also kept the following so that Client is build when debugging:
<Target Name="Build Client" AfterTargets="Build">
<Exec Command="npm install" />
<Exec Command="npm run build" />
<ItemGroup>
<Content Include="webroot\**">
<CopyToOutputDirectory>Always</CopyToOutputDirectory>
</Content>
</ItemGroup>
</Target>
The problem is when I publish the application I see the client being build twice.
How to solve this?