Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has told coach Zinedine Zidane it will be "very difficult" to sign Paul Pogba from Manchester United this summer, sources have told ESPN FC.

Zidane has made clear his admiration for Pogba both publicly and privately, and on Wednesday evening, during a transfer summit at Madrid's preseason base in Montreal, asked Perez and director general Jose Angel Sanchez to make another effort to sign the midfielder.

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But Zidane was told that, with Madrid having already spent more than €300 million on new players, another big deal was not feasible at present.

Sources have told ESPN FC that United are determined to keep Pogba and believe his value to be well in excess of £150m.

The salary structure at the Bernabeu is another hurdle to Pogba's arrival -- with new tax rules in Italy boosting Juventus' chances of re-signing a player who left Turin for Manchester in a then world record £89.3m deal in 2016.

Pogba's agent Mino Raiola's high standing with the Serie A club following the signing of Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax could also help Juve find a way to get a deal done.

Madrid's financial position would be improved if they could sell out-of-favour Gareth Bale. However the Wales international and his representative Jonathan Barnett are determined to honour a lucrative contract which runs until 2022.

Sources at Madrid told ESPN FC that, while the Bernabeu hierarchy would sanction a sale should they receive an offer of €80m for Bale, Zidane has accepted that he may have to give the winger another chance.

Jimmy Neesham has paid tribute to his former high-school cricket coach who passed away during the closing stages of the World Cup final on Sunday when Neesham carried New Zealand to the brink of the title.

David Gordon worked at Auckland Grammar School as a teacher and cricket coach for over 25 years, with Lockie Ferguson one of his other pupils. Neesham acknowledged the influence he had on him.

"Dave Gordon, my High School teacher, coach and friend. Your love of this game was infectious, especially for those of us lucky enough to play under you. How appropriate you held on until just after such a match. Hope you were proud. Thanks for everything. RIP," Neesham posted on Twitter.

Gordon's daughter, Leonie, said her father passed away when Neesham was batting in the Super Over which ended up a tie with England taking the World Cup on boundary countback.

Dave Gordon, my High School teacher, coach and friend. Your love of this game was infectious, especially for those of us lucky enough to play under you. How appropriate you held on until just after such a match. Hope you were proud. Thanks for everything. RIP

— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) July 17, 2019

"You know, I think Jimmy Neesham had just hit that six and he took his last breath," she told Stuff.co.nz. "He has a quirky sense of humour and he was a real character and he would have loved the fact that he did that."

"It was lovely, you know, he's kept in touch with Jimmy and he is friends with Jimmy's father. He always had a soft spot for Jimmy Neesham, he was very proud of him. He would definitely be following his career."

World Cup-winning coach Trevor Bayliss, whose tenure with England comes to an end after the Ashes, will take over as the Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach. This will be Bayliss' second stint in the IPL, having already coached Kolkata Knight Riders from 2012 to 2015, during which time the franchise won the title twice.

It is understood that Sunrisers and Bayliss will work out the tenure of his contract soon. ESPNcricinfo understands the franchise is yet to make a decision on the rest of the support staff, but it will retain the pair of VVS Laxman (mentor) and Muttiah Muralitharan (consultant).

Bayliss replaces fellow Australian Tom Moody, who parted ways with Sunrisers after seven seasons. Sunrisers had won the IPL in 2016, and then finished runners-up in the 2018 edition. In 2019, they scraped through to the playoffs, but finished fourth eventually.

"After very careful consideration, the Sunrisers franchise has decided to take a new direction with the Head Coaching role and will be parting ways with the services of Tom Moody," Sunrisers said in a statement. The reason Bayliss was preferred for the head coach role was because he is a "proven winner" and an "ideal" person to guide the future of the franchises.

According to K Shanmugham, the Sunrisers' CEO, it was the management's decision to part ways with Moody. The franchise made it clear Moody was not being snubbed and acknowledged he had made an "enormous impact" in Sunrisers making the IPL playoffs five times in seven seasons. "Tom has been the longest serving coach in the IPL. He played a big role in development and success of the franchises. But the management felt it was time to try out someone new," Shanmugham said.

Moody tweeted a message of gratitude to the players, support staff and fans.

It's been a privilege to work for Sunrisers Hyderabad, I have made many friendships and good memories. The success we've enjoyed over the 7 yrs is a testament to a hard working team on and off the field. A special thank you to the players, support staff and all the fans. https://t.co/2dYphE3yQF

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) July 18, 2019

Bayliss' pedigree as a multiple-title winning coach is unparalleled, and is the big reason why more than one IPL franchise was trying to get him on board. It is understood Knight Riders, too, had initiated talks with him, as did Rajasthan Royals.

Under Bayliss' watch, England won the 2015 Ashes 3-2, reached the World T20 final in 2016, became No. 1 side in the ODI rankings and won the World Cup at Lord's last week. Bayliss had also won the Big Bash League with Sydney Sixers in 2010-11 and had also coached Sri Lanka, who reached the 2011 World Cup final during his tenure.

To reduce umpiring errors, the BCCI has decided to utilise what it calls "limited DRS" during the Ranji Trophy knockout matches from this season. This restricted version of the DRS will not comprise Hawk-Eye and UltraEdge, the two key elements of the system used in international cricket.

Saba Karim, BCCI's general manager of cricket, confirmed the development saying several captains and coaches had complained to the board about the "howlers" committed by the on-field umpires that could be avoided. "Last year, in some of the knockout matches, there was some flak on umpires because there were some terrible howlers," Karim told ESPNcricinfo. "So we want to avoid all that and use whatever help we can get. For the knockouts in Ranji Trophy matches, we will utilise all the technology available to us as a means to apply the limited DRS to help the on-field umpires make the correct decision."

The decision to implement this limited version of the DRS was approved by the Committee of Administrators, the supervisory authority of the BCCI, in June. The CoA was told that "grievances" were raised over the umpiring standards in domestic cricket at the Captains and Coaches Conclave recently and it was felt that the limited DRS could "reduce the occurrences" of bad decision-making.

One example of such controversial decision-making occurred during the last Ranji Trophy semi-final between Karnataka and Saurashtra in Bengaluru when Cheteshwar Pujara got reprieved twice - once in each innings - and that eventually cost the hosts a spot in the final.

Karim said he would have a "brainstorming session" with the match officials, including umpires and referees, along with the board's broadcasting team to understand the "extent" to which the available technology can be used.

According to Karim, 18-20 cameras are used during the broadcast of a match on TV or on the digital platform, and these would be utilised wherever possible to help the match officials adjudicate on debatable on-field umpiring calls.

"We are just trying to use it as an experiment just to see how much it can be useful to domestic cricket," Karim said. "We will use whatever cameras we can use to come to the right decision."

England's Test cricketers will be feeding off the "buzz" of a historic World Cup win as they prepare to try and regain the Ashes, according to Sam Curran. The Surrey allrounder is set to return to international duty in next week's maiden Test against Ireland and he said the dramatic scenes at Lord's on Sunday had set England up perfectly for the second half of the summer.

Curran missed out on World Cup selection, but did enjoy a productive first season at the IPL earlier this year. After a hamstring injury interrupted his return with Surrey, he has since played three Championship games as well as making an early impact on the touring Australians with England Lions - Curran claimed 6 for 95 in this week's game at Canterbury, as well as making half-centuries in each innings.

Although Curran was left out of England's most-recent Test XI in St Lucia, he was Man of the Series against India last summer and looks likely to return to face Ireland. The match at Lord's, starting on Wednesday, will be England's first four-day Test since the ICC approved the optional reduction in 2017.

"It's obviously really exciting to be in the squad for the first Test of the summer," Curran said. "It's the first four-day Test for England and the first against Ireland which makes it a massive event for them and an awesome thing to be part of. It's a slightly different England side to be in with a few of the big guns rested after the World Cup, but it's a really exciting group and we are looking forward to linking up this weekend.

"I don't think I'm alone in saying that it's probably the greatest cricket match ever, and for that to be the World Cup final was incredible. That will provide a buzz for everyone across English cricket going into the Ashes, which is the biggest series an England player can be involved in in Tests, and this match against Ireland. Days like Sunday get everyone, whether they were involved or not, more excited and desperate to do well so I'm sure it will rub off as we head into the Test part of the summer.

"I watched the final with the Lions boys in Canterbury and the excitement was amazing. It was an incredible win and the boys have so worked hard. Having spoken to my brother and a few of the others I think they celebrated pretty hard as well."

As well as his success against India, Curran played an important role with the bat in Sri Lanka last winter, helping to set England up for a 3-0 whitewash. Although his bowling was less successful in the Caribbean, he could play a pivotal role in the Ashes - his haul for the Lions, sparking an Australia collapse of 6 for 17, possibly a sign of things to come.

Curran is expected to play in the Vitality Blast for Surrey on Friday night before linking up with the Test squad, and said the "body felt good" after his recent injury.

"I feel really good going into the Ireland game," he said. "It's been quite a frustrating season really, I came back from the IPL, played my first Champo game and got injured, had a couple of weeks out. I've come back and felt good, putting in some decent performances with bat and ball. Confidence is really good, it's just trying to contribute as much as I can. Hopefully I'm in the XI on Wednesday and I can put in a performance.

"Performing against India last summer has given me quite a lot of confidence. It's a new challenge, a new summer. I can't rely on that, I need to look ahead and find performances that will beat the Australians in the Ashes. The team is pretty exciting, there will be some great cricket played. I'm really excited to see what this summer holds.

"The first aim for the World Cup guys was to win that, and they've achieved that. But there's another big test coming up, and the Ashes are the biggest thing you can play in as an England cricketer, that's what I've always felt. Hopefully we can be lifting the Urn at the Oval in September. We have to take one game at a time and try to contribute as much as you can."

The BCCI's secretary will no longer convene selection meetings. Following a directive from the Committee of Administrators (CoA), the chairpersons of the respective selection committees will now convene the meetings except on overseas tours, where the team's administrative manager will take over the convener's role.

The meeting of the senior men's selectors to pick the team for the upcoming tour of the West Indies, meanwhile, has been postponed. It was scheduled to be held on Friday, and the BCCI will announce a new date shortly.

It has been a long-standing practice in Indian cricket for the BCCI's secretary to convene and attend meetings of the selection committee.

The new BCCI constitution, however, seeks to separate the management and governance functions of the BCCI, with the Apex Council - which includes the secretary - responsible for governance, the professional management team led by the CEO responsible for the management of non-cricketing matters, and the cricket committees - including the selection committee - in charge of managing cricketing matters.

In its directive issued on Thursday, the CoA noted that it had been "informed that the practice of the Hon. Secretary convening and attending selection committee meetings has continued even after the New BCCI Constitution has become effective.

"Further, it is learnt that the selection committees continue to address emails to Hon. Secretary to seek his approval in relation to any change or replacement in the team(s). Similarly, the selection committees continue to address e-mails to the Hon. Secretary seeking his approval on travel arrangements and posting for selectors to watch and attend cricket matches."

Following the CoA's directive, the BCCI's office bearers and the CEO will no longer attend any meetings of the cricket committees.

The selection committee chairperson or the team's administrative manager, on tour, will prepare minutes of every selection meeting, and forward them to the secretary for record-keeping. The selection committee will not need the approval of either the BCCI secretary or the CEO in relation to the teams they select and any changes or replacements they make.

After taking nearly three weeks to make a final decision, dual-threat quarterback Haynes King committed to Texas A&M on Wednesday.

King, the top QB in the ESPN 300 and No. 19 prospect overall in the Class of 2020, made his intentions known in an interview with the Longview News-Journal.

"[Coach] Jimbo Fisher, he's proven to develop quarterbacks and put them into the [NFL]," King told the News-Journal. "He's been very successful at that. He coaches you hard, and I'm used to that. He coaches you like you're his son."

King's commitment is one of the biggest recruiting wins to date for Fisher since he arrived in College Station.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound quarterback made official visits to Texas A&M, Tennessee, Auburn and Duke from May through the first three weeks of June before narrowing his choices to the Volunteers and Aggies.

The East Texas multisport standout -- who boasts 4.5-second speed in the 40-yard dash, along with being a talented passer -- bolsters a Texas A&M recruiting class that was already knocking on the door of the top 10 prior to King's commitment.

King becomes the highest-ranked prospect in a class that includes five fellow ESPN 300 prospects: receiver Demond Demas (No. 21 overall), cornerback Jaylon Jones, receiver Troy Omeire, defensive end/linebacker Fadil Diggs and receiver Muhsin Muhammad III.

With a star signal-caller now in the fold, the Aggies are moving toward a potential top-five class, with a number of ESPN 300 targets still on the board, including No. 1 overall Zachary Evans, running back Daniyel Ngata, cornerback and recent Oklahoma decommit Dontae Manning, offensive guard Chris Morris, offensive tackle Garrett Hayes and linebacker Kourt Williams.

King, who will play in the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game, led Longview High to a 16-0 record and the Texas 6A D-II state championship as a junior. He passed for 3,877 yards and 42 touchdowns with just four interceptions in 2018, and he rushed for more than 650 yards.

As Melvin Gordon's contract impasse reaches a week, the Los Angeles Chargers running back says that teammates and running backs around the league support him.

Gordon said he gave some teammates a heads-up that he would threaten to hold out if he didn't get a new deal.

"They're all behind me. They all got my back," Gordon told ESPN in a sit-down interview this week. "They all told me, 'You know what -- we don't really speak on contracts -- but you just go and do what's best for your family.' And I'm glad I got that support from them."

Gordon, 26, who was drafted 15th overall by the Chargers in 2015, is entering the final year of his rookie contract -- a fifth-year option worth $5.6 million. However, agent Fletcher Smith told ESPN's Adam Schefter last Thursday that without a new deal, Gordon will not report to training camp and will demand a trade.

Gordon had expressed support for Le'Veon Bell's contract holdout last season. He said he is now getting encouragement from other running backs.

"A lot of running backs have reached out to me just saying go out and get what you deserve," Gordon said. "A lot. A lot of starters. A lot, a lot of backs."

Gordon reiterated what he said Saturday: that he wants to remain a Charger, and he wants fans to know that.

"Just because we're going through contract issues right now doesn't mean I want to get traded," he said. "I love being a Charger. I don't want them to feel like I don't want to be there."

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Gordon rushed for 5.1 yards per carry and had 14 total touchdowns in 2018. He also averaged 114.6 scrimmage yards per game last season, the best by any Chargers player since LaDainian Tomlinson (121.8 in 2007), according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Gordon skipped most of the offseason but attended mandatory minicamp. The Chargers are scheduled to open training camp July 24 in Costa Mesa, California.

He said that he knows what he wants in a new deal, "and they know what I want, so we're just going to see what happens."

Could that mean a holdout like Bell did before getting dealt by the Steelers to the Jets?

"I'm prepared to do what I got to do, but like I said, I hope it doesn't come to that," Gordon said.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland -- Rory McIlroy's start to The Open in his native Northern Ireland couldn't have been much worse.

McIlroy, the favorite to win the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club, hit his tee shot on the first hole out of bounds and ended up with a quadruple-bogey 8 on the par-4, 421-yard hole.

McIlroy's opening drive hit a woman and cracked the screen of the mobile phone in her pocket.

After a one-stroke penalty, McIlroy hit his second tee shot into the deep rough on the left side of the fairway. His fourth shot was low and ended up in even thicker rough on the left side of the green. He was forced to take an unplayable lie near the green.

Then he made a great pitch shot to about 2 feet and two-putted for 8.

After the opening hole, McIlroy's odds to win The Open dropped from 8-to-1 to 33-to-1 on online betting sites. He also hit his opening tee shot out of bounds during his practice round Wednesday.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, it's the first time McIlroy started a major championship with a double-bogey or worse since the 2012 Masters, when he opened with a double-bogey. It's only his second quadruple-bogey in a major (he had one on the 11th hole in the final round of the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion) and only the fourth in his PGA Tour career.

No major winner in the past 20 years started a tournament with worse than a double-bogey.

McIlroy's forgettable start spoiled The Open's highly anticipated return to Royal Portrush, where it hadn't been played since 1951. McIlroy, 30, grew up in nearby Holywood, and he set the Royal Portrush course record with a 61 when he was 16.

He talked about the pressure of playing in The Open in his native country Wednesday.

"I'm just treating this like any other Open Championship," McIlroy said. "I've played well here for the last few years. I've played well on this golf course. So I've just got to go out and hit the shots and stay in the present. If I just keep putting one foot in front of the other, hopefully by Sunday night that will be good enough."

McIlroy wasn't the only player who saw everything fall apart on a hole. David Duval posted a 13 on the par-5 seventh hole.

The 2001 champion also had a quadruple-bogey 8 on the fifth at Royal Portrush. He birdied the first two holes and is 11 over through eight.

Duval won at Royal Lytham & St. Annes 18 years ago but now spends more time as a golf commentator than he does playing professional events.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.