Darren Bent believes Declan Rice will not 'be going anywhere' if West Ham United win the Europa League and get into the Champions League in 2022.

The high-flying Hammers continued their Europa League adventure with a 2-0 win over Rapid Vienna on Thursday evening, a repeat of the result they achieved at Dinamo Zagreb a fortnight ago.

Rice is loved by West Ham fans and is quickly becoming a star at home and abroad

Last season's surprise sixth-placed finish has placed greater demands on the London club, leaving David Moyes with a tricky balancing act.

However, West Ham have so far coped impressively with the packed programme, with a narrow top-flight loss to Manchester United their only defeat of the campaign to date.

They avenged this 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 both Chelsea and United, the Scot will be all too aware how in-demand the ambitious midfielder will be.

Moyes previously said it would take 'Bank of England money' to prise the midfielder away

The England international, who has two goals from as many Europa League games, captains the club when Mark Noble does not play and Bent believes staying in Europe is the key to keeping the 22-year-old.

He said on Drive: "If they win the Europa League this year and they are in the Champions League next year, he won't go anywhere.

"What's his reason for going then? He's playing in the best competition in the world then.

"I think for the first season, once he has a taste of it, West Ham get into the Champions League and he does particularly well…

The 22-year-old played in all of England's games at Euro 2020 as they reached the final

The Hammers faithful are loving their run, with Rice leading the charge

"I think people will come and get him, regardless of what happens, but that is his club – West Ham.

"He's the captain – I know Mark Noble is the captain – but it's him because he will play more.

"If they can somehow win the Europa League, they're in the Champions League next season, he's not going anywhere."

"They've got to go all out and try to win the Europa," Bent continued. "They've got a really good chance.

"Not Champions League, let's not get too carried away and say they should be in the Champions League because they won't.

"I'm talking about getting in the top four. But I think certainly Europa, they've got to be aiming for that again."