Arsenal given Ivan Toney hint, Chelsea battle Real Madrid for wonderkid and latest Liverpool shake-up revealed

A round-up of your latest transfer rumours from across the Premier League for Saturday, March 16.

Toney joke gets people talking

Arsenal were left feeling more confused about the Ivan Toney race than ever before following his latest TV interview. The Brentford striker - linked with the Gunners and Chelsea - joked about scoring 20 goals from now until the end of the season, winning the Euros and joining Real Madrid.

“We start winning games, we win every game from now until the end of the season,” Toney told Sky Sports. “I’ll score 20 goals, we’ve got nine games left, so we keep nine clean sheets. I’m in the mix for the Euros, and then we win the Euros.

“We’ll just hope things fall into place, If Brentford wants to sell me, they make their money, I move to Madrid and it’s all good.”

3AM verdict: Toney was being facetious - as he has been in the past - but are his true intentions bubbling underneath the surface? The 28-year-old seems to be demanding a move away in plain sight, making light of a situation that will likely trigger Brentford fans.

Arsenal are keeping their options open, with Toney just one of several strikers linked. I would bank on him moving this summer - but will that be to the Emirates?

Chelsea chasing Real Madrid target

Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are battling it out for Lille sensation Leny Yoro, according to reports. The 18-year-old is enjoying a stellar breakout campaign for Les Dogues, attracting interest from across Europe.

Liverpool were understood to have been tracking Yoro in January but interest cooled. At 6ft 3in, Yoro is physically imposing but also capable of playing out from the back.

He is widely tipped to become one of the best defenders in world football but Lille are reportedly demanding up to £80million. The Evening Standard claim Chelsea, despite their recent struggles, are prepared to challenge other continental heavyweights for his signature.

3AM verdict: If you are a top young player right now, avoid Chelsea like the plague! The uncertainty and chaos around Stamford Bridge is not conducive to developing players into world-beaters.

Just take a look at Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo as examples. Signing Yoro would be a coup though if Todd Boehly can pull it off.

Latest FSG shake-up revealed

The Athletic claim Liverpool are targeting Benfica technical director Pedro Marques. One of the previous men in that position, Michael Edwards, was recently announced as the club’s new CEO to spearhead the post-Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield.

Getting the right sporting director is crucial as the Reds aim to fill the void left by the German. Liverpool have had three men in the hot seat in just over 18 months but seek stability to steady the ship once Klopp leaves.

Highly-rated Portuguese chief Marques has reportedly been identified as the man to oversee football matters. The piece suggests FSG -rather than Liverpool - would appoint the Benfica man directly.

3AM verdict: Whatever happens at Liverpool this summer, the club will have a fresh feel once the new season comes around. Whether that is for better or worse, time will tell, but Marques would have some job on his hands to maintain their level of success.

Klopp has helped the Reds compete above their station and, when a long-serving manager leaves, there is usually a transition period. Edwards - held in high regard by Liverpool fans - will be searching for an elite operator to come in and hit the ground running.