Newcastle 'forced' to sell key player, Liverpool eye young defender, Chelsea look to offload 10-assist star

It was a quiet weekend in the Premier League with just four games on the calendar but there is still so much to play towards as we look ahead to the upcoming weeks. The title race remains closer than ever with Arsenal and Liverpool tied at the top on 64 points, while reigning champions Manchester City are just one point behind them.

At the bottom of the table, three teams above the relegation zone are at serious risk of slipping beneath the surface if they make any mistakes. Luton Town are looking to claw their way out of the bottom three and push one of Nottingham Forest, Everton or Brentford into the danger zone.

With plenty of action still to sink our teeth into, clubs are also keeping one eye on the transfer market as they prepare to buy and sell once the summer window opens up. Let's take a look at some of the latest headlines on the Premier League rumour mill.

Newcastle 'forced' to sell key player

Newcastle United's season is far from what many fans had hoped for after their impressive top four finish last year. The Magpies no longer have a shot at silverware this term and can only hope to climb the Premier League table as they look to claw their way up from tenth in the rankings.

Eddie Howe and co are already looking ahead to the summer transfer window and how they can strengthen their options but they must also be prepared to part ways with some of their own players. According to Football Insider, Newcastle 'will be forced to sell one of their biggest players' at the end of the season in order to balance their books and abide by Financial Fair Play obligations.

There is no mention of who will be placed on the chopping block but with clubs being handed punishments for FFP breaches, the Toon cannot afford to have the axe wielded in their direction.

The 3AM Verdict: Selling players is part and parcel of football as a business and with Newcastle enjoying some fruitful windows recently, they will have to make some sacrifices to keep on the right side of the league's FFP rules. Bruno Guimarães has recently been mentioned as a potential summer sale and with a Transfermarkt valuation of €85 million (£73m) and four years still left on his contract, Newcastle could demand a very handsome fee if they do decide to cash in on the Brazilian.

Liverpool eye young centre-back

One of Liverpool's main focuses this summer will be on strengthening their backline after enduring some tough injury setbacks to a number of key defenders this season. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have both been out for lengthy periods while Joël Matip's ACL injury is expected to keep him out for the whole campaign.

As the Reds look ahead to some summer spending, Football Insider reports that they have their eyes on Ajax youngster Jorrel Hato, is being monitored by a number of Premier League clubs. The 18-year-old has not missed a single game for Ajax this season and has captained his side on a number of occasions as well, showcasing his professionalism early on in his career.

The 3AM Verdict: With Virgil van Dijk not getting any younger, Liverpool need to look start looking at signings for the future and scouting young talents who are capable of playing at the highest level is an excellent way to start. The skipper still has a lot of life left in him so any rising stars who Liverpool sign will benefit from training and potentially even playing alongside him. This will get van Dijk's eventual replacement ready to step in when called upon.

Chelsea looking to offload nine-assist star

Another club in need of some summer sales is Chelsea, and Football Insider has also reported that the Blues are sacrificing Raheem Sterling as part of their end-of-season clear-out. The Blues are 'under pressure' to raise funds and they are also prioritising the fast track of younger stars signed under Todd Boehly.

Sterling is reportedly one of the highest earners at Stamford Bridge and despite playing a big role in their performances this season — with eight goals and ten assists across all competitions — it looks as though he is being moved on for the bigger picture at the club.

However, due to his current salary is it unlikely he will be able to complete a move to a Premier League rival, so Chelsea are reportedly considering other destinations for 29-year-old Sterling.

The 3AM Verdict: Sterling has been a solid asset for Chelsea and he remains a very tricky player for rival oppositions to handle. The winger's versatility is also a very attractive characteristic and the Blues will not doubt have plenty of clubs enquiring about him this summer. However, unless he is willing to negotiate a wage deduction (he is currently on a reported £325,000 per week), finding a new club may prove difficult.