Daniel Kretinsky to destroy David Sullivan's latest West Ham 'ploy' - Keith Wyness

David Sullivan will play right into Daniel Kretinsky's hands if he leaves his shares in West Ham United to his two sons.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that Jack Sullivan and David Sullivan Jr are not the right fit to lead the club forward.

This comes after recent reports that Sullivan Snr intends to hold on to his shares for now, before ultimately stepping aside for his sons to take them on.

However, Wyness believes that Kretinsky will have no concerns about that scenario playing out, as he could simply dilute their shares by putting in more capital and asking them to match it.

The Czech businessman is set to become the largest shareholder of the East London outfit, with Vanessa Gold's impending share sale set to take him up to 46 per cent.

Sullivan's sons have both been involved with West Ham at various levels in recent years, but Wyness does not see either as a genuine threat to Kretinsky.

David Sullivan being a 'nuisance' for Daniel Kretinsky

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Sullivan is now at the stage where he is intentionally being a "nuisance" for Kretinsky.

The disgraced 77-year-old appears increasingly likely to lose the battle for ownership, and is now at the stage where he is merely "shadow boxing" with Kretinsky.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness made it clear that Kretinsky won't be fazed by the chance of Sullivan's sons getting involved.

"David Jr and Jack Sullivan, I think they've both already been approved to work in football. Jack has already done work on the women's side of West Ham," he said.

"I don't think it's the right thing though. Over time, all Kretinsky would do, I think, is just dilute them by putting in more capital and asking them to match it. I don't think that's something they'd be prepared to do.

"I don't think the two boys are necessarily the right ones to assist West Ham, but it's obviously just all about maximising the value and being a nuisance, if you like, for Kretinsky.

"I think this is just a negotiating ploy at the moment, and I don't think this will follow through because, as I say, if it did, then I think over time Kretinsky may dig his heels in and just dilute them. 

"Overall, it's just another thing in the game of shadow boxing between Kretinsky and Sullivan right now; that's all it is."

Keith Wyness issues Nuno Espirito Santo sack verdict

Wyness recently told Football Insider earlier in September that West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo should not be under pressure at the moment.

The Portuguese had faced questions in the early weeks of the season, but his team are now second in the Championship table after the opening eight league games.

Wyness previously spent time as Aston Villa's CEO during their spell in the second tier, and feels that the division is more of a "marathon" than a sprint.

He made it clear that he still has every faith that Nuno will get the Hammers promoted at the end of the year, no matter how many bumps there are along the way.