GARY Lineker has said “it’s natural to have conversations” as his Match of the Day contract comes to an end next year.

Lineker also revealed who he wants to replace him as the face of BBC Sport’s flagship show.

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He opened up about his MOTD future on this morning’s episode of the Rest is Football podcast.

The star said that he has just started contract talks – and that Alan Shearer and Micah Richards are in a similar boat.

Gary also said Richards was his preferred candidate to replace him in the long run.

He said: “It’s been a strange few days as you know. I’m coming to the end of my contract in the summer.

“So it’s natural you have to have conversations. They’ve just started. I don’t know why it’s all spiralled out of control but all is OK.

“I’m more concerned about my cold. I started not feeling well on my way home. Terrible throat.”

Micah replied: “What’s more concerning is I’m 4-1 to replace you!”

Last night Lineker silenced speculation over his MOTD future by opening the show with a joke.

The former England striker, 63, told BBC viewers on Saturday night: “It’s my last show… before the international break.”

Reports in the last few days have been circulating online saying that yesterday could have been his final appearance.

Lineker is understood to be in talks with BBC executives — and sources have told The Sun on Sunday it was “business as usual”.

An alleged leaked email also appeared to suggest plans were being drawn up at the BBC for his departure.

But the long-running BBC football highlights show opened up with Lineker making a gag about the rumours around his future.

He said: “Hello, seven games on the way and it’s my final show…

“Before the international break.”

The clever joke left pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards laughing as Lineker continued on with the show.

An alleged leaked email appeared to suggest plans were being drawn up at the BBC for the former striker’s departure earlier this week.

It was said to have included a draft statement for release when the ex-England ace decides to leave.

The Beeb has refused to call the email a fake and instead said nothing had been agreed.

But the star, 63, is understood to now be in talks with BBC executives over a new Match of the Day deal after sources told The Sun on Sunday it was “business as usual”.

The veteran presenter could agree to stay on for £1million a year — £350,000 less than his current mega salary.

He has hosted the show since 1999 and is now its longest-serving presenter.

It is believed that Lineker will remain on the show until at least the end of the season.

A source told The Sun: “Gary is hugely popular with both fans and players alike.

“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 adores the BBC, and loves his job, and recognises what an honour it is to host television’s flagship football show, as well as international games.

“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.”

Lineker was taken off air last year after his tweet compared the language used to launch a government asylum plan to “that used by Germany in the 30s”.

Pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer boycotted MOTD in solidarity.

Ex-Spurs player Jermaine Jenas, 41, had been reportedly in the running to replace Lineker on the show but was sacked for inappropriately texting two women on The One Show.

The bookies are now predicting that either Mark Chapman or Gabby Logan will be the next faces of the late-night football recap show.

MotD2 host Chapman and Sports Personality of the Year host Logan are both 5/2 to pick up the reins, according to William Hill.

Ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards (4/1) and Lionesses legend Alex Scott (5/1) are also in contention.

Other names in the frame include regular pundits Alan Shearer (14/1) and Danny Murphy (25/1).