Chris Wood scored 30 goals for Leeds United in all competitions last season.
Thomas Christiansen has told Radio Yorkshire that he is hoping Chris Wood stays at Leeds United next season.
Wood is said to be of interest to seven Premier League sides (Daily Star), but Leeds are set to put up a fight to keep hold of their star striker.
The New Zealand international impressed Christiansen with his performances last season, but the 44-year-old boss feels there is still more to come from the target-man.
“I hope [he stays],” Christiansen said. “He was a very important player and for me he will be the same important player in the team.
“That was one of the things I mentioned in the meeting, not that I want him to stay, but how I would help him improve more than what he did.
“I know that’s difficult, but we all want more from ourself and I believe that with the way we want to play we can help to increase in all the lines.”
Wood came on leaps and bounds under Garry Monk’s stewardship, and enjoyed the finest season of his career last term.
The 25-year-old netted 30 goals in all competitions last season, becoming Leeds’ main attacking threat.
Wood’s form has not gone unnoticed, but if Leeds do manage to keep hold of him it will be a major boost for Christiansen.
The former APOEL boss is under pressure to guide the Whites into the promotion race, and keeping Wood around could be crucial to those aims.
Wood is currently playing at the Confederations Cup with New Zealand, and started in his nation’s defeat against Russia in the competition’s opening game.
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