By Harry Sykes
Chris Wood is set for a big-money transfer from Leeds United as the £20million battle for his services hots up, according to a report.
The Sun claim the Championship giants are facing an uphill task to hang on to their star striker and “it would be a major surprise if he was not playing in the Premier League next season”.
It is said that top-flight quartet West Ham, Southampton, Swansea and Stoke are all interested in signing the 25-year-old during the forthcoming window.
They are well aware of the scoring exploits this season of Wood, who topped the Championship scoring charts with 27 goals, and plundered 30 in all competitions.
The Sun report that the New Zealand international is valued at £20million by Leeds as they aim to secure top money for their prize asset.
He made the three-man shortlist for the Championship player of the season before missing out to eventual winner Anthony Knockaert of Brighton.
Like Knockaet, Wood also struggled for game time at previous club Leicester but he has made a big impact at Leeds since joining for £3million in the summer of 2015.
The forward has two years remaining on his Elland Road contract.
Meanwhile, Leeds chief Andrea Radrizzani is close to buying out the half-share of fellow joint-owner Massimo Cellino and taking total ownership of Leeds. He predicted last week that the deal would be completed by the end of May.
In other Leeds United transfer news, rivals have stepped aside to give the Yorkshire giants a clear path to the summer signing of a £3million player of the year striker.
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