David Sullivan has stressed West Ham are continuing to work hard to identify new signings before the transfer window closes but has reiterated the club needs to sell before it can buy.

With Financial Fair Play regulations now in place, the Hammers are close to their permitted wage limit after making five new signings this summer.

In a statement on the club’s official website, the club's joint chairman said: “Sam (Allardyce) and I are working tirelessly on identifying new targets to add to what has been a very good window for West Ham United thus far. However, the new rules state that if a team exceeds the new wage limit they could be hit with a points deduction. As we are now close to that limit, players can only be brought in if there is money left in the wage budget, meaning any new signings at West Ham are dependent on other players leaving the club.

"I have seen the suggestion that we should just give away or sell a few fringe players to free up the wages but I must stress this is easier said than done and despite our hard work over the summer, it just hasn't been possible yet.

"I'm hopeful that things will change over the last seven days of the window and I can assure fans that we will be working hard - right until the last minute if needs be - to make sure we give West Ham United the best chance possible of topping last season's tenth-placed finish."