Gary Lineker is 'stalling' over BBC's offer to present their coverage of the Champions League when their highlights programme is aired from the start of the 2024/25 season.
The BBC are hoping to convince Lineker to present their brand new programme, which is due to get underway next year. The broadcasting corporation have agreed the rights to show Champions League highlights for the first time from 2024, with Lineker's contract set to run out in 2025.
However, the 62-year-old is also being eyed up by TNT Sports, which is being rebranded by BT Sport, to face their coverage of the Champions League. It is understood that a formal offer for Lineker is not imminent, though, as they are currently making up for 200 redundant staff.
According to Daily Mail, talks between Lineker and the BBC are expected to take place at the end of the season as the company attempt to convince him to stay put.
BBC's highlights of the Champions League will be broadcast from 10pm on the Wednesday of match weeks on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. They have signed a three-year deal which will run until the end of the 2026/27 campaign, with the BBC also set to show Premier League and FA Cup coverage, too.
This all comes as Lineker is set to return to the BBC cameras on Saturday evening as he presents coverage of Manchester City's FA Cup quarter-final against Burnley. The former England international is set to head up the coverage for the game that gets underway at 5:25pm, with kick-off at 5:45pm.
With Lineker at the Etihad Stadium, he will not host Match of the Day on Saturday night when Mark Chapman presents highlights of the five Premier League matches. Chelsea face Everton and Southampton host Tottenham in the standout matches from the top-flight.
Last Saturday's version of Match of the Day was shown without Lineker, pundits of commentators as they decided to boycott the programme. This was after the former striker was told to step back from his presenting duties following criticism at the government's asylum policy on social media.
However, an agreement was reached between the BBC and Lineker for him to return to work, with the likes of Alan Shearer, Alex Scott and Ian Wright also expected to be back. In a statement on social media on Monday, Lineker revealed how pleased he was to come to an agreement.
He tweeted: "After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming.
"I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost 3 decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday.
"A final thought: however difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away. It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you."
