Featured Image Credit: Getty & BBC
Topics: Gary Lineker
Josh Lawless
Gary Lineker was keen on leaving BBC for another broadcaster - only to be knocked back - reports claim.
Lineker has been the presenter of Match of the Day since 1999 and also fronts coverage of international football for the broadcaster.
He also had a period hosting the Champions League for TNT Sports and has been hitting headlines with the Rest is Football podcast alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
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But despite being the BBC's top earner on £1.35 million a year, according to the Daily Mail, Lineker was in touch for ITV over the past 18 months regarding a shock switch.
It's claimed the 63-year-old had conversations about the possibility of becoming the broadcaster's new sports presenter but ITV were not interested.
Lineker's new contract is up next year and it appears as though he was prepared to explore opportunities elsewhere.
Jon Holmes, the former Spurs and England striker's agent, branded the claims "rubbish" - instead stating that ITV tried to bring in Lineker "years ago" but saw their advances rejected.
Responding to whether Lineker had had initiated different discussions in the last 18 months, Holmes brought up the ex Barcelona working for ITV in other capacities during the aforementioned period.
Lineker hosted game show Sitting on a Fortune between 2021 and 2023 before it was cancelled.
However, the outlet say in this instance dialogue was with in relation to hosting sports coverage for ITV, whose presenters include Laura Woods and Mark Pougatch.
Last year, Lineker was told to step back by the BBC over an impartiality row - leading to a monumental boycott of the channel's sports programming.
Upon his return for an FA Cup game between Manchester City and Burnley, Lineker said his time "is nearly up" presenting Match of the Day.
The BBC declined to comment. SPORTbible has also reached out to ITV and Gary Lineker's representatives for comment.