German basketball is having a great summer

Tottenham are close to the signing of James Maddison with the Leicester midfielder set to undergo a medical on Wednesday. Spurs entered advanced talks with recently-relegated Leicester earlier this week and have now struck a deal for the England international, the PA news agency understands. Maddison will move to Tottenham in a transfer worth £40m plus add-ons, having already agreed personal terms. The signing of Maddison will represent a major coup for Spurs, who have been long-term admirers of the 26-year-old. Ex-Tottenham boss David Pleat recommended Maddison to chairman Daniel Levy when the playmaker was still a teenager at Coventry, but no move was able to materialise and he instead joined Norwich. Spurs’ interest and desire to eventually sign Maddison never waivered with his time at Leicester only serving to prove he was one of the most creative players in England. During five largely successful years with the Foxes, who won the 2021 FA Cup, Maddison made 203 appearances, scored 55 goals and produced 41 assists. While Maddison was unable to prevent Leicester suffering a shock relegation to the Sky Bet Championship last season, he was still able to hit double figures in terms of goals. Leicester’s battle for survival saw them turn down advances for Maddison in the January transfer window but they have now agreed for him to depart. Newcastle had registered an interest in bringing the midfielder to St James’ Park but decided to pursue a move for AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali, which left the door open for Tottenham to swoop in for their key target. Maddison’s creativity and versatility will boost a Spurs squad that has lacked a player in his mould since Christian Eriksen left in 2020. Once his medical is completed, Maddison will become new Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou’s third signing following Dejan Kulusevski’s permanent transfer and Tuesday’s arrival of Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Read More Arsenal submit British-record bid for Declan Rice Football rumours: Man City ‘to submit improved offer’ for Declan Rice after Arsenal bid Harry Kane must take Bayern Munich transfer chance – and so should Spurs Tottenham complete signing of Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario Kane must take Bayern transfer chance - and so should Spurs Osimhen and five Man United transfer alternatives to signing Kane

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has stood by his decision to send a political message about Kosovo at the French Open.

Michael Block hit a hole-in-one at the PGA Championship, continuing his fairytale run.

In the latest installment of grading trade fits, FanSided's MLB Insider Robert Murray talks about potential deals for the Cardinals, Cubs and Braves.With the MLB trade deadline rapidly approaching, some teams are talking internally to decide what players to target. But most of them are deci...

Josh Palacios hit a two-run home run in the 10th inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied twice from two runs down to beat the Phillies 6-4 and take the three-game series

Mary Earps was forced to admit it has become “really difficult” to keep all fans happy with the increased attendances and popularity of the sport. The England goalkeeper was criticised for not signing an autograph following Manchester United’s win at Everton on Sunday. The Lionesses throughout the years have frequently stayed behind after games to meet with the supporters in the crowd, but the increased attendances have meant the fans they do meet become a smaller proportion of the total. When asked about the incident, which played out on social media, Earps said: “We love to interact with the fans but it’s at times becoming really difficult to keep everybody happy and to interact with as many people as possible.” "We’re obviously so grateful that thousands and thousands of people want to meet us and come and talk to us, but the reality of it is, if that’s the expectation, we’re always going to fall short. "I think the emphasis on it needs to switch now. We love that we can be so connected, but equally we are subject to a lot of comments and unnecessary [criticism]. At times it’s just an addition to the game that we don’t need." When England played Scotland at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light in September, some fans reportedly chanted for the Lionesses to “get off the bus” and meet them. Earps made headlines throughout the Women’s World Cup in the summer when she commented that her national team goalkeeping shirts were not available to buy for fans. Nike has since released a limited number of replica shirts, which have sold out. Speaking about the shirts she said: "It’s just brilliant for [the young goalkeepers] to have that access and have their own personal shirt," added Earps. "I know there’s going to be more shirts coming at the end of this year so I’m really excited about that as well." Read More Is England vs Belgium on TV? Channel, time and how to watch Lionesses tonight Lauren James to miss England’s games against Belgium with concussion Fran Kirby returns to Lionesses squad as Sarina Wiegman reveals Beth Mead decision

A look at the best-of-3 first-round series in the WNBA playoffs, which starts Wednesday

The key in Deion Sanders being able to turn around Colorado is all about player development.Deion Sanders knows he cannot do it alone, which is why he has assembled quite the coaching staff at Colorado to hasten the turnaround for the long, downtrodden Buffaloes program.But why Colorado? San...

The Atlanta Braves continue to look like the predicted juggernaut it was before the season, and bettors continue to be impressed.The Braves are in first place of the NL East by 3.5 games of the Miami Marlins, who were predicted to come in fourth ahead of the year, and are tied with the Arizona D...

Interim boss Steven Davis insists he retains confidence in the Rangers squad as he called for unity following the 2-1 Europa League defeat by Aris Limassol in Cyprus. The former Light Blues midfielder was asked to take over after Michael Beale was dismissed at the weekend following the 3-1 loss Aberdeen at Ibrox which left the Gers seven points behind cinch Premiership leaders Celtic. Rangers had beaten Real Betis in their Group C opener at Ibrox but found the Cypriot side too much, losing the first goal after nine minutes to defender Alex Moucketou-Moussounda. Striker Shavy Babicka added a second goal in the 59th minute before Light Blues attacker Abdallah Sima pulled a goal back for the Ibrox men but the visitors could not complete the comeback. Ahead of the trip to St Mirren on Sunday, Davis said: “I still believe we have some real quality players. Obviously, confidence has been hit. “You go through these periods in your career and it’s a really difficult moment. “As I say by sticking together you make sure to do the basics right in terms of hard work and application which they have been doing. “It’s important we continue that and things will turn because I believe in the qualities of the squad. “We’ll get players back which will help. The most important thing is right now is us being a group together. “It was a really difficult night because we felt a real opportunity to come here and build on the Betis game. “I think we caused a lot of our own problems in the game. Obviously, with the two goals we give away we’re really disappointed with and when that happens you have a mountain to climb. “Firstly I’ve got to take some responsibility. In the first half we kept trying to play in the middle of the pitch when it wasn’t really on, they were good at getting transitions from that with the pace they had up front which caused us problems all night. “Whenever you go behind in a second half you must throw some caution to the wind at certain points. “We tried to simplify the game really, trying to get the ball in behind, get it wide and cross the ball into the box and ultimately we didn’t do enough to take something from the game. “In terms of the effort of the players, I thought they tried to keep going till the end and in terms of the energy they put in, I couldn’t ask for any more in that respect. “There wasn’t a lack of effort, we’d never question that from the dressing room but it is a really difficult moment that everyone is in. “When that happens you maybe start to make the wrong decision and things like that. “Sunday’s coming up and it’s a really quick turnaround. We’re hurting from tonight but it’s important as a group we stick together.” Read More ‘Maverick’ Lucas Paqueta impresses David Moyes in West Ham’s Europa League win Roberto De Zerbi hails ‘incredible’ Brighton reaction to salvage Marseille draw Warren Gatland highlights hard work as Wales aim to continue progress Geoge Ford believes partnership with Owen Farrell is ready to deliver West Ham set European record with victory over Freiberg in Germany Managerless Rangers slip to abject Europa League defeat in Limassol

Justin Jefferson just had to get Kirk Cousins a shiny new gift after the Vikings upset the 49ers on Monday night.