KTM CEO Stefan ꦬPierer is not ruling ou🌄t keeping Pol Espargaro beyond the end of the 2020 MotoGP season.

Strong rumours are linking tܫhe Spaniard, KTM's top rider since its 2017 💧MotoGP debut, with a shock switch to Repsol Honda next season, to partner current six-time champion Marc Marquez.

While not denying that negotiations between Espargaro and Honda have taken place, both sides insist nothing has🀅 been signed.

The likely reason why only a verbal commitment would be ဣpossible at this stage is that KTM appears to have some sort of contract clause in place with Espargaro.

"From our point of view, the question of whether Pol stays with KTM is still open," Pierer told Speedweek.com. "The decision will be made on September 15 at the lates♌t.൩"

That's not to say KTM𝄹 would try and force Espargaro♏ to stay - the factory knows from the Johann Zarco situation that it's better to let a rider leave if they are not fully committed.

Rather, KTM will be hoping that between now and September (just before the halfway stage of the revised season) they can convince Espargaꦯro it's in his best interests to remain at the team.

The most important factor will be improved performance from the RC16, which has a best finish of sixth so far in the dry, but the factory can al🌳so offer 'number one' status and, probably, more pay than Espargaro would get♔ at Honda.

Nonetheless, it 🍌will be an uphill battle, with Pol's brother Aleix recently telling Spanish broadcaster RTVE: 

"KTM is pushing hard because they value him a lot and they want him to stay, but I don't know to what extent Honda is going to love or not love my brother. But, in the end, when Ferrari caꦡlls you, for example, it is very difficult to say no to Ferrari.

"We will see, I think Repsol Honda is th𝓡e 'dream team' in the history of the MotoGP World Championship and if you have that option, it will not be easy to say no to t🌠hem..."

A KTM clause or optio🐈n is thought to be in place for Moto2 star Jorge Martin, who is understood to have 'agreed' a move to Moto𒁃GP with Pramac Ducati next season, but cannot yet officially announce the deal.

However, with three of KTM's four MotoGP riders currently having less than ꦛa season of experience, the factory already has plenty of young guns avai🥂lable. Therefore, even if Espargaro departs, KTM is likely to target an experienced rider rather than try to tempt Martin 'back' from Ducati.

One experienced, race-winning rider is Danilo Petrucci, out of Ducati's factory team for 2021 following the signing of Jack Miller. The Italian is now rumoured in the upcoming days...