Scudamore: Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore is to have heart surgery next week but plans to be back at work before the new season kicks off in August. “He will be undergoing a routine heart operation to correct genetically defective valves,” the organisation said. “The operation has been planned for some months and has been timed to minimise the impact on the running and decision making capability of the Premier League.”

Cagliari: Cagliari owner Massimo Cellino has revealed that the sale of the Serie A club has fallen through. Cellino had expected an American investment group led by Italian businessman Luca Silvestrone to buy the club last week. Cellino said no payment has been received and that there has been no further communication. “There is no American investment group interested in acquiring Cagliari,” Cellino said.

Gattuso: Greek Super League club OFI Crete have hired former Italy and Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso as their new manager. The 36-year-old, who was sacked by FC Sion and Palermo last year, has agreed to join the Cretan outfit for the 2014/15 campaign.

Muriel: Udinese have brushed aside reports that striker Luis Muriel will leave the club this summer. The Colombian has been strongly linked with a move away from Udine with Roma and Fiorentina among the clubs keen to acquire the 23-year-old’s services. But sporting director Cristiano Giaretta said: “I spoke to Luis yesterday (Wednesday) and he is very happy to play at Udinese. I can confirm that will remain at Udine next season.”

Senderos: Swiss World Cup defender Philippe Senderos has agreed a two-year contract with English Premier League club Aston Villa after leaving Spanish team Valencia. “I’m really delighted to be joining Aston Villa, a great club with a great history,” the 29-year-old said.

Guangzhou: In a speedy deal hatched over a few drinks, China’s biggest e-commerce company Alibaba is buying half of the country’s most successful football club Guangzhou Evergrande for $192 million. For Jack Ma, Alibaba Group Holding’s billionaire founder and confessed soccer agnostic, it may seem a fanciful move, the latest in a string of recent acquisitions beyond Alibaba’s e-commerce businesses.

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