Gary Lineker reportedly declined a £1m offer to write a book (Image: Getty)
Gary Lineker has reportedly snubbed a mega £1million book deal with Penguin Random House. The publisher also commissioned Prince Harry’s popular autobiography ‘Spare’ and hoped Lineker’s outspoken nature might have the same impact as the exiled royal’s tell-all story.
Lineker’s team are said to have rejected the offer as the huge sum of cash would only persuade the former England star to provide insights into his football career. Penguin's commissioning editor is aware that the true value would be getting the 64-year-old to open up about his private life, including his two marriages. Prince Harry, who received a £15m advance for his book, told readers about his upbringing, marriage to Meghan Markle, and split from the Royal Family.
A source allegedly told the Daily Mail: “Gary's team were pretty sniffy about the opening offer, even though it's a million pounds. There was a view that it was derisory. Everyone knows what a stir Prince Harry's book made, so they were interested.
“Gary is outspoken when he wants to be so it could be the perfect combination. It is the same commissioning editor who commissioned the Duke of Sussex who is now after Gary, but Gary hasn't yet signed the deal.
“He has never done an autobiography before so he thought he'd be able to command even more cash, but at the moment the negotiations are ongoing. Maybe it would be a case of not saying so much about his private life but more about football.
“Obviously the publishers know the real value is getting Gary to talk about his marriages and his personal life for the first time but he seems to think just his football insights are worth the cash.”
Prince Harry's book 'Spare' was hugely successful (Image: Getty)
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Lineker has been married twice but both relationships ended in divorce. One of his four sons, George, also survived Leukemia as a baby and an autobiography would be an opportunity for Lineker to open up on his ordeal.
There could also be juicy gossip on his football career, having played in the First Division and for England in the 1980s and 1990s. Should the book ever come to fruition, Lineker could discuss his career with Leicester, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham.
Lineker will step down as Match of the Day host at the end of the Premier League season. He has hosted the BBC highlights programme since 1999.
