Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is expected to complete his move to New York City FC next week, according to British media reports on Saturday.

Australian Luke Durbridge may be a timetrial specialist but he believes he can still enjoy Tour de France success away from the race against the clock.

Australia's Hamilton Island Yacht Club has withdrawn as the Challenger of Record in the America's Cup, perhaps the first public sign of dissatisfaction with the direction sailing's marquee regatta is heading.

The move came six days after competitors met in Los Angeles to air their concerns. Among them are costs, not knowing the venue before the first installment of the $2 million entry fee is due and unhappiness that San Francisco was eliminated as host city.

Jose Mourinho has taunted Arsenal by claiming he needed just 20 minutes to persuade Cesc Fabregas to join Chelsea because the former Gunners midfielder didn't want to return to his old club.

Mourinho signed Fabregas from Barcelona for £27 million ($46 million) earlier in the close-season despite Arsenal having first option to take back the Spain star.

American Laura Diaz birdied three of her last four holes en route to a two-under 69 to maintain her lead at the USLPGA Tour's Marathon Classic on Friday.

Diaz finished 36 holes at Highland Meadows Golf Club at 11-under-par 131. She is seeking her third career win on the LPGA Tour, but first in 12 years.

Temperamental Italian tennis player Fabio Fognini has apologised after being heard hurling a racist insult at a Serb rival that later circulated on YouTube.

The Italian was heard to call Serbian qualifier Filip Krajinovic a "shitty gypsy" during his straight sets defeat in the second round of the Hamburg Open on Wednesday.

Germany captain Philipp Lahm on Friday ended his international career just five days after leading his country to a World Cup triumph in Brazil.

Tributes immediately poured in for the 30-year-old Bayern Munich full back who has played 113 games for Germany.

Championship leader Nico Rosberg outpaced his Mercedes team-mate and nearest title rival Lewis Hamilton to top the times in Friday morning's opening free practice for this weekend's German Grand Prix.

The newly-married 29-year-old German clocked a best lap of one minute and 19.131 seconds to finish ahead of the Briton, who is only four points behind him in the title race, by just 0.065 seconds after 90 minutes action in sizzling heat at the revised Hockenheim circuit.

Toni Kroos will be unveiled as Real Madrid's latest high profile signing on Thursday after the European champions agreed a six-year deal to sign the Germany World Cup winner from Bayern Munich.

The 24-year-old playmaker moves to the European champions on the back of an outstanding World Cup.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is not overly concerned about the absence of new signing Luis Suarez for the early part of the upcoming season as the Uruguayan serves his biting ban from the World Cup.

"It's bad that he's not with us from the start, but it's not a tragedy," Luis Enrique said on Wednesday. "Somebody else will play in his place."