Darren Bent believes Declan Rice is going nowhere if West Ham United win the Europa League and enter the Champions League in 2022.
And Carlton Cole believes that “no amount of money in the world” will take the midfielder away from the club.
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Rice is beloved by West Ham fans and is quickly becoming a star at home and abroad
The top-flight Hammers continued their Europa League adventure with a 2-0 victory over Rapid Vienna on Thursday night, a repeat of the result achieved at Dinamo Zagreb a fortnight ago.
The surprise sixth place finish last season placed greater demands on the London club, leaving David Moyes with a delicate balance.
However, West Ham have so far faced the busy schedule impressively, with a narrow top-flight loss to Manchester United, their only loss of the campaign to date.
They avenged that defeat less than a week later, with more European and domestic success the priority for Moyes and his men.
Having kept Rice out of the clutches of Chelsea and United, the Scotsman will be all too aware of the ambitious midfielder’s request.
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Moyes previously said it would take ‘Bank of England money’ to keep the midfielder away
The England international, who has scored two goals in as many Europa League appearances, leads the club when Mark Noble is not playing and Bent believes staying in Europe is key to keeping the 22-year-old.
He said on Drive: “If they win the Europa League this year and are in the Champions League next year, he’s not going anywhere.
“What is his reason for going then?” He then plays in the best competition in the world.
“I think for the first season, once he’s tasted it, West Ham goes into the Champions League and he’s doing particularly well…
“I think people will come and get him no matter what, but it’s his club – West Ham.
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The 22-year-old has appeared in all of England’s matches at Euro 2020 as he reached the final
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Hammers loyalists love their run, with Rice in the lead
“He’s the captain – I know Mark Noble is the captain – but he’s him because he will play more.
“If they can win the Europa League one way or another, they’ll be in the Champions League next season, he’s not going anywhere.”
Rice is reportedly priced at £ 100million, but former West Ham striker Carlton Cole believes the midfielder is priceless for the Hammers at the moment.
“I know there are a lot of teams looking at Declan and I think he’s moving into something more than just a CDM,” Cole said.
“I don’t think there is enough money in the world to take him away from West Ham just yet.”
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