Tottenham have stepped up their pursuit of new centre-backs for boss Ange Postecoglou amid the ongoing uncertainty over Harry Kane’s future. Kane remains of strong interest to Bayern Munich, who are expected to launch a third bid for the forward after officials from the German club reportedly met with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy in London on Monday. While speculation surrounding Kane continues to grow, Tottenham have accelerated their search for new defenders with talks advancing over the transfer of Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven, the PA news agency understands. Postecoglou gave the green light to Van de Ven’s signing soon after arriving in June and dialogue between the teams started last month. No final agreement over a fee – expected to be in the region of £30million – has been reached, but there is a growing confidence the Netherlands Under-21 international will make the move before Spurs’ Premier League opener at Brentford on August 13. After Van de Ven made 36 appearances for Wolfsburg in the 2022-23 campaign, and attracted interest from Liverpool, he made clear his desire to play in England during an interview with De Telegraaf in his homeland. “I have always dreamed of the Premier League because the biggest clubs play there and I also see that competition as the best in the world,” Van de Ven said in June. Tottenham also remain in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over the signature of centre-back Edmond Tapsoba, who alongside Van de Ven has been high on the club’s list of potential targets this summer. A move for both Bundesliga-based defenders has not been ruled out but Spurs are working on other transfers. Blackburn centre-back Ash Phillips is expected to complete his move to Tottenham this weekend. Spurs entered discussions with the Sky Bet Championship club last month for the England youth international, but negotiations stalled over a final transfer fee. After Friday a £2million release clause for Phillips will become active, which will allow Tottenham to complete the signing of the 18-year-old. Phillips’ arrival will not impact on Postecoglou’s desire to boost his senior options in defence, with the centre-back viewed as a player for the future. Tottenham have also opened talks with Rosario Central over 19-year-old forward Alejo Veliz. Veliz impressed at the Under-20 World Cup this summer, scoring three goals for Argentina. Discussions are at an early stage but Spurs are eager to make a number of signings during a busy final month of the summer transfer window. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Great Britain’s team pursuit world title defence ends with crash in qualifying Ally McCoist: Michael Beale and Brendan Rodgers need to put friendship on hold Eddie Nketiah ready to step up again after Gabriel Jesus’ injury

Hoosiers coaching legend Bob Knight passed away on Wednesday.

Jake Paul emphasized the need for politicians to connect with the younger generation as he posted the video with Vivek Ramaswamy

A new summer, a new tournament, the same goal: England’s World Cup campaign begins in earnest against Portugal on Saturday, with a final send-off match before the Lionesses head to Australia. A year ago, England were starting to pick up momentum on home soil before the Euros, continuing the winning run under Sarina Wiegman that would carry them all the way to Wembley - and from there, history. The same again? “I think the best thing we can do is just not compare,” said the midfielder and Euros winner Georgia Stanway. The Lionesses will once again be driven on by the chance to inspire the nation, but the challenge that awaits at the World Cup is completely different to the opportunity they seized so spectacularly last July. For one, this warm-up friendly against Portugal in Milton Keynes was not officially confirmed until just three weeks ago, following a dispute over release dates that threatened to compromise England’s preparations. It mirrored the hold-up over the TV rights deal for the tournament - another issue that was not resolved until mid-June. On both counts, there will have been too much uncertainty there for England’s liking. But finally, five weeks on from the end of the domestic season, attention returns to the pitch and England’s quest for glory. There is plenty to watch out for: Wiegman, memorably, named the same starting eleven across all six matches as the Lionesses won the Euros. Now, the England manager has a different squad to choose from, and a number of selection issues to decide upon if she plans to be as consistent in Australia. Wiegman is still in the process of figuring that out. The Lionesses, of course, are without last year’s captain Leah Williamson, the player of the Euros and golden boot winner Beth Mead, and the creative force of their midfield in Fran Kirby. Jill Scott, the leader in the camp at last year’s Euros, has retired and even though the Lionesses have played and won plenty of games since then, the dynamics in the squad ahead of a major tournament will be different as well. “There’s different experiences, there’s different competition now,” Wiegman said. “And there’s also in some positions really high competition.” The battle is already underway in camp and has been since England arrived at St George’s Park two weeks ago. Understandably, a lot of the focus on England ahead of the World Cup has been on the players who won’t be there, but Wiegman also faces a number of selection headaches that would be the envy of most if not all other managers at this summer’s tournament. Among them, Wiegman will have to decide who out of Alessia Russo, Rachel Daly or Beth England will be her starting striker at the Euros. Russo, who is set to join Arsenal after confirming her departure from Manchester United, had appeared to be the favourite but Daly arrives having struck 22 goals in the Women’s Super League for Aston Villa last season, and England scoring 12 in as many games with Tottenham. “The competition has been so high,” Russo said this week. “Rachel and Beth, we’re all competing”. On the wings, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp are vying for two places - although that also offers Wiegman the chance to change games from the bench, which proved so key at the Euros last year. “The standard and depth is incredible,” said Jess Carter, who is favourite to get the nod at left back. “Everyone knows that in order to be successful at the World Cup we’ve all got to raise our level to a higher level. That’s what we’re all trying to do.” While Wiegman has options in the attacking positions, she faces headaches of a different sort in defence. Millie Bright, who will captain the Lionesses in Australia, has not played since March and will miss the Portugal match as she continues to recover from knee surgery. Alex Greenwood is fit to start despite an injury scare in training earlier this week, but it still means that England will start with a centre-back combination that is unlikely to play in the opening match against Haiti on July 22. Portugal will be making their World Cup debut this summer and while the tournament features an extensive list of contenders - the Selecao are not among them. It’s a match the Lionesses will be expected to win, and win well, following their defeat to Australia in their last outing back in April. “It’s always good to have those games before the tournament to see where we are, to see what things we need to work on,” said Ella Toone, another player who is looking to nail down a starting spot. “It’s a great game, a different test to what we are going to face as well. It’s always nice to play in a proper game before we go out to the World Cup.” Wiegman added that while England will prepare for Portugal to be “technical” and “play a possession game” - the visitors are “not afraid to play long ball” and have “speed up front”. The Lionesses will need to ensure that they deal with that more direct approach better than they managed when facing Australia and Sam Kerr, when Wiegman’s unbeaten run was brought to an end two months ago. But the focus now is on new starts: forget the Euros, forget what’s come before - England’s path to the World Cup start here. Read More Fifa reveal eight options for Women’s World Cup captains after ‘OneLove’ armband fallout in Qatar Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match in UK When is the Women’s World Cup and what are the fixtures? Two warm-up games is ‘best preparation we can have’ – Sarina Wiegman ‘Very high’ expectations on England’s Lionesses at World Cup, Georgia Stanway says Alessia Russo fully focused on England after ‘tough’ summer of transfer talk

The company says accounts posted about divisive issues ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Roman Reigns will return to SmackDown two weeks after The Usos attacked him and left The Bloodline on June 16

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 29, 2023--

In '90 Day: The Last Resort' Episode 8 titled 'One Last Secret', a family therapy exposes Kalani Faagata and Asuelu Pulaa's secrets

If Quordle is a little too challenging today, you've come to the right place for

By Deborah Mary Sophia U.S. packaged food companies are set for a flurry of deals in a push

Polluters like Thames Water Utilities Ltd. that befoul UK rivers and seas will face unlimited penalties and tougher

America's age-old love affair with ice cream appears to be winding down.