Gary Lineker has volunteered to take a pay cut with the 63-year-old currently in talks with the BBC over a new Match of the Day contract, according to reports.
The former Tottenham, Leicester, Barcelona and England star has been the face of the programme ever since 1999.
Lineker’s current deal with the BBC is due to expire next summer, with the likes of Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman touted as potential replacements.
Jermaine Jenas had previously been seen as the heir to Lineker’s throne – but the 41-year-old was axed last month following allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
According to The Sun, Lineker is in talks with the BBC over a new Match of the Day deal.
It’s claimed he has offered to take a pay cut, with the presenter willing to accept an annual salary of £1million a year — which £350,000 less than his current salary.
Lineker is set to meet executives in October over a potential new deal lasting at least two or three years.
It’s said discussions were delayed after the Jenas scandal but are now set to recommence next month.
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An insider is quoted as saying: “Gary is hugely popular with both fans and players alike.
“The sense is that, with so much uncertainty and scandal at the BBC, right now viewers are crying out for a safe pair of hands.
“Gary adores the BBC, and loves his job, and recognises what an honour it is to host television’s flagship football show, as well as international games.
“Gary has long maintained that the BBC provides excellent value for money – and has quite literally put his money where his mouth is, and offered to take a substantial pay cut.”
The report adds that the BBC is ‘under enormous pressure’ to reduce its wage bill.
It has laid off 1,800 employees and cut budgets over the past three years in order to balance the books.
Lineker, speaking earlier this summer, was asked about his Match of the Day future.
And the former England striker made it clear he still loved working on the show, having done so for the past 25 years.
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“Match of the Day is such an iconic show, 60 years is such a long time and I have presented it for 25 of those years,” he told The Independent.
“Podcast-wise, things have really exceeded our expectations but at the same time, I love being part of Match of the Day, I love working for the BBC, I know it has its issues and it has its troubles but I think it’s brilliant.
“I think sometimes we don’t shout about how good we are at the BBC and what we offer.”
Lineker also said earlier this month that he felt young and had no plans to retire from presenting.
“I’m still a spring chicken, really,” he joked.
“I don’t see myself retiring at the moment.
“I really love what I do – football has been an ever-present in my life. It’s a real privilege to be able to present such an iconic show.”
