17 November 2023 , 00:13
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Gary Lineker is set to open contract talks with the BBC next month and could be the new face of Champions League highlights.
Lineker, 62, has hosted Match of the Day since 1999 and become one of Britain's most popular TV presenters. Yet his future was plunged into doubt when he was taken off air by the BBC for criticising the government's use of language towards refugees.
Although Lineker was quickly reinstated, rumours have continued to swirl about his future. Jermaine Jenas and Alex Scott, two of English football's up-and-coming presenters, have been tipped to succeed the Barcelona icon in the Match of the Day chair.
Lineker's BBC contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 season - when the organisation's current deal with the Premier League runs out. Yet it's believed the BBC are hoping to keep him on board, as they close in on an extension with the Premier League.
The BBC are tipped to be the only terrestrial TV broadcaster to bid for Premier League highlights, with ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 not willing to invest. The BBC's new deal with the Premier League is expected to run until the end of the 2028-29 season.
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Lineker recently confirmed in an interview with GQ that his Match of the Day future is dependent on the BBC securing Premier League highlights once again. "I’ve got two years left," said the legendary striker when asked about his contract.
Lineker has hosted Champions League football before (Getty Images)Do you think Gary Lineker should continue to host Match of the Day? Let us know in the comments below!
"Beyond that it depends on the rights because the BBC have got to keep winning the rights to show the highlights. The Premier League have been very clever, making sure that there is a show on terrestrial television to maintain interest in the sport, as still over half the public don’t have Sky or BT. So, hopefully that will continue."
With the BBC on the verge of agreeing a new deal, they can now open talks with Lineker over a fresh contract. As reported by the Daily Mail, negotiations will begin in December. Lineker is the BBC's best-paid presenter, earning a whopping £1.35million per year.
Lineker's new deal could be sweetened by the promise of Champions League football. The BBC have secured the rights to show Champions League highlights for the very first time from next season onwards. Lineker previously presented live games of European football's top club competition on TNT Sports when it was known as BT Sport.
The BBC are yet to confirm who will host Champions League highlights on Wednesday evenings. "We are simply thrilled to have won these rights," said BBC's director of sport Barbara Slater when the organisation's deal with UEFA was announced in July 2022.