Gary Lineker's salary and net worth as he 'offers to take pay cut' at BBC Match of the Day

Gary Lineker has been the face of the BBC's Match of the Day since 1999, but his current contract is set to expire in 2025

Gary Lineker is ready to take a pay cut from his £1,350,000-a-year contract to secure his future with the BBC. The former England striker, synonymous with the BBC show, is reportedly prepared to earn less to stay in the hotseat.

At 63, Lineker has started talks with the corporation as his current deal is set to end in 2025. The fate of the iconic Match of the Day host has been widely speculated in recent times, with Lineker having presented the BBC's flagship Premier League highlights programme since 1999.

Amidst rumours about who might take over his role, it's reported by the Sun that Lineker is poised for discussions with BBC chiefs next month regarding a new contract. This agreement would span at least two years and see him earn a revised yearly wage of £1m.

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He is understood to have a net worth north of £30 million.

The negotiations have reportedly hit a brief snag following the BBC's decision to dismiss Lineker's colleague, Jermaine Jenas. Jenas, a former Tottenham midfielder and one of the frontrunners to succeed Lineker on MOTD, was let go for sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues on The One Show.

Lineker, however, may continue with the BBC past 2025. "Gary is hugely popular with both fans and players alike," an insider commented, reports the Mirror.

"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 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."

Gary Lineker, the face of BBC's football coverage, isn't hanging up his presenting boots just yet. Fresh from leading the BBC's coverage of this summer's European Championship, the former England forward shared with the Evening Standard: "I'm still a spring chicken, really. I don't see myself retiring at the moment."

The broadcasting veteran expressed his passion for the game, saying, "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."

Lineker also noted the unpredictable nature of sports broadcasting: "In sports television, you can never look too far ahead anyway, because of the nature of television rights. You suddenly lose the contract and there's no sport for you to cover. There obviously has to be a point when I call it a day, and I totally understand speculation about who else might do the role - but they might have to wait a little bit longer."