Dinamo Zagreb are preparing an ambitious attempt to sign Luka Modric from Real Madrid.

Anyone who has ever been to Lubbock knows that you're bound to see some things when you're down there so a football player snagging a bird during pregame warmup

Aston Villa booked a place in the Europa Conference League group stage by sweeping aside Hibernian 3-0 on the night and 8-0 on aggregate. Villa, who won the first leg of their qualifying play-off 5-0 last week in Edinburgh, underlined their superiority over managerless Hibs with goals from Jhon Duran and Leon Bailey before the interval. Substitute Matty Cash struck his third goal in two games just after the hour-mark as Villa, hosting a European tie for the first time in 13 years, made it four straight wins in all competitions. Unai Emery’s side will learn who they face in the Europa Conference League group stage on Friday when the draw is made in Monaco. Hibs, who sacked manager Lee Johnson on Sunday after a home defeat to Livingston left them bottom of the cinch Premiership without a point, were backed throughout by their noisy band of 2,200 travelling supporters. But the visitors were reminded of the gulf in class between the two sides in the 12th minute when Duran opened the scoring. The Colombia forward burst between Hibs’ centre-backs Rocky Bushiri and Paul Hanlon on to Pau Torres’ excellent pass and swept the ball home. Hibs have put former defender David Gray in temporary charge for a third time and they responded through Jordan Obita’s effort, which forced Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen into a flying save. But Villa made it 7-0 on aggregate when teenage debutant Omari Kellyman laid on their second goal in the 34th minute. The 17-year-old skipped past a tackle and slid in Bailey, who cut back on to his left foot on the right edge of the area to fire beyond Hibs goalkeeper David Marshall. Emery, who made six changes from the side which won 3-1 at Burnley last weekend, sent on Cash and captain John McGinn – against his former club – for the start of the second half. Cash, who fired a double at Turf Moor on Sunday, made it 3-0 on the night just after the hour-mark, burying a rebound after Marshall had failed to hold on to Bailey’s fierce free-kick. McGinn was denied a goal after more neat interplay from Villa by a last-ditch block before the home side took their foot off the gas. Hibs, given a rousing send off by their impressive fans at the final whistle, will now focus on Sunday’s league game at Aberdeen, where they will bid to kick-start their domestic season. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Andy Murray admits grand slam chances may never improve after US Open defeat Liverpool agree £35million deal with Bayern Munich for Ryan Gravenberch Jack Draper overcomes injury worries to reach US Open third round

In today's MLB rumors, Juan Soto and the Red Sox make a good match, the Cards shop some catchers, and the Giants deal with their 'damaged' reputation.

The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to trade Jrue Holiday to a contender in the near future. These deals make sense for all parties involved.

The representatives of Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood are working on a transfer away to a European club on loan - possibly before Friday's transfer deadline.

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner has repeated as the NFL’s top cornerback in rankings by The Associated Press

Kyle Schwarber started things off right quickly for the Philadelphia Phillies, but a bad decision on the bases short-circuited things against the Atlanta Braves

Newcastle faces an early season test when it plays at defending champion Manchester City in one of five English Premier League games on Saturday

Spain’s women’s players have gone on strike to demand a higher minimum wage amid a nationwide reckoning with sexism in soccer

Sydney Sweeney will play Spider-Woman, Michael Lorenzen threw a no-hitter, Henry Ruggs III sentenced for fatal DUI crash and more in the Roundup.

Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart will miss three to five weeks with a sprained left foot, adding to Memphis’ already lengthy injury list