West Ham owner David Sullivan may only be backing Nuno Espirito Santo in the transfer market due to fan pressure.

That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes West Ham are taking a “risk” with their transfer business.

West Ham sit in the Premier League relegation zone, with a five-point gap between them and safety.

Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos have joined West Ham in the club’s two major January additions so far, costing over £40million.

West Ham taking a ‘big risk’

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – does not believe West Ham’s signings so far are enough to secure their Premier League status.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the Hammers’ spending is partly to please a disgruntled fanbase.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “We all know that if the risk pays off and you stay in the Premier League, then okay, but it’s a big risk and I don’t think they’re in a strong position right now with a great set of cards in their hand to go forward.

“So I do think this is a risk, but it’s one that obviously Sullivan is taking right now. He’s trying to please the fans to a degree showing that they’re trying their best. I know that the two strikers that they’ve signed, one of them has scored a goal, but they still don’t seem to be the quality of players to me that are going to rescue a club in a relegation battle. 

“So things are very difficult for West Ham right now, and I do see the spending right now creating bigger problems down the road for the club.”

Lucas Paqueta update emerges

West Ham could sanction the sale of Lucas Paqueta before the end of the window, with the Brazilian linked with a move back to his home nation.

The 28-year-old has missed recent wins against Tottenham and QPR due to injury, and the Hammers don’t want to sell the midfielder in January.

Flamengo could bid over £30m to sign Paqueta, which could prove too much for West Ham to turn down.