Favourites to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host revealed – as star locked in contract talks with BBC

THE BOOKIES' favourites to regenerate Gary Lineker arsenic Match of the Day big person been revealed - arsenic helium is locked successful treatment with the BBC.

It is understood Lineker volition stay connected the amusement until the extremity of the season, nevertheless declaration talks – arsenic revealed by the Sun – proceed.

Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan are joint-favourites with William Hill to regenerate Lineker arsenic the big presenter of the BBC programme.

Former England striker Lineker is nearing the extremity of his tenure fronting the highlights show.

MotD2 big Chapman and Sports Personality of the Year big Logan are some 5/2 to prime up the reins.

Ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards (4/1) and Lionesses fable Alex Scott (5/1) are besides successful contention.

Regular pundits Alan Shearer (14/1) and Danny Murphy (25/1) are different names successful the frame.

Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “There is plentifulness of speculation regarding Gary Lineker’s aboriginal arsenic the big of Match of the Day and we person 2 contenders cervix and cervix to regenerate him.

“Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan look to beryllium the standout candidates, tied astatine 5/2 to instrumentality connected the presenting duties, but astatine this signifier determination are plentifulness of different names successful the speech too.

“Former players Micah Richards (4/1), Alex Scott (5/1) and Dion Dublin (6/1) are each successful the mix, portion experienced presenters Clare Balding (7/1) and Jason Mohammad (10/1) cannot beryllium ruled out.

“Martin Keown and David Moyes are among the agelong shots for 1 of the astir prestigious roles connected UK TV.”

The Sun revealed past period however Gary Lineker was successful talks with the BBC implicit a multi-year woody for Match of the Day — aft volunteering to instrumentality a wage cut.

Lineker, who has hosted the BBC footie highlights amusement since 1999, is gathering executives implicit a imaginable woody lasting astatine slightest 2 oregon 3 years.

The seasoned presenter, 63, could hold to enactment connected for £1million a twelvemonth — £350,000 little than his existent wage - The Sun reported past month.

Talks were understood to person been concisely delayed pursuing the caller Jermaine Jenas scandal.

The shamed erstwhile Spurs star, 41, who was reportedly successful the moving to regenerate Lineker, was sacked for inappropriately texting 2 women connected The One Show.

A root said: “Gary is hugely fashionable with some fans and players alike. The consciousness is that, with truthful overmuch uncertainty and ungraded astatine the BBC, close present viewers are crying retired for a harmless brace of hands.

“Gary adores the BBC, and loves his job, and recognises what an honour it is to big television’s flagship football show, arsenic good arsenic planetary games.

“Gary has agelong maintained that the BBC provides fantabulous worth for money - and has rather virtually enactment his wealth wherever his rima is, and offered to instrumentality a important wage cut.”

MotD2 big Mark Chapman, 50, was antecedently tipped to instrumentality implicit erstwhile Lineker’s declaration expires astatine the extremity of the season.

Last twelvemonth the erstwhile England striker was reprimanded by the BBC after a captious societal media station astir the Government’s asylum policy.

He was forced to miss a amusement but colleagues loyally refused to capable successful for him, truthful lone lucifer highlights were shown instead.

The wage negotiations came arsenic the BBC faced tremendous unit to trim its wage bill.

Since 2021, it has laid disconnected 1,800 employees and chopped budgets crossed programmes.