Deal would enable former striker to continue BBC roleLineker has presented Match of the Day since 1999

BT Sport has stepped up attempts to sign Gary Lineker to front its live Champions League coverage next season on a deal that would enable him to continue presenting Match of the Day for the BBC.

The former England captain is contracted exclusively to the BBC until 2016 but it is understood that talks are taking place about a deal that would allow Lineker to also appear on BT Sport from next season. According to industry sources, the telecoms giant is desperate for a big name to front its first season of exclusive Champions League football. It won the rights to both the Champions League and the Europa League from Sky Sports and ITV in an £897m three-year deal beginning next season.

The new deal will necessitate a new pricing structure, however, with the broadcaster likely to launch a new subscription channel to house the rights. Lineker is seen as a potentially attractive frontman to launch the new service. Under the plans, Jake Humphrey could continue to present BT Sport’s Premier League and FA Cup coverage.

If the BBC agrees to share Lineker on a reduced contract, he would be able to continue presenting Match of the Day and major events such as the World Cup and Olympics.

The 54-year-old, who moved into television upon retiring and has become the most coveted football anchor in the game, also works for NBC and al-Jazeera.

In an interview with the Guardian last year, the BBC’s head of TV sport, Philip Bernie, said Lineker was “the best presenter in the business”. “We love Gary. He’s a sensational football presenter and is the outstanding person in that field in this country,” he said. “For someone who was that great a footballer to have turned into that great a presenter is remarkable. We’ve got a very long relationship with him that we’re very keen to continue.”

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The BBC has the rights to Premier League highlights until at least the end of next season. The Premier League is due to announce shortly whether it will retain the rights from 2016-17 onwards. As revealed by the Guardian, ITV is launching a serious challenge in a bid to snatch the rights.

Meanwhile BT Sport, Sky Sports and the Discovery Channel are going head to head for the live rights to Premier League football, with the result expected within the next fortnight.

There are seven packages on offer for a total of 168 live matches per season, 14 more than under the current deal.

One of the packages contains up to 10 live games per season on Friday nights. Under the current deal, Sky pays £2.3bn over three years for 116 matches per season and BT Sport invested £738m over three years to show 38 live matches.