Declan Rice: West Ham on course for transfer boost amid ‘absolutely huge’ claim – pundit
West Ham will have an “absolutely huge” chance of keeping hold of Declan Rice if they win the Europa League this season, according to Danny Mills.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Man City and England defender claimed qualifying for next season’s Champions League group stages would mean West Ham can attract better players to the club.
They booked their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League with a 3-0 win out in Lyon on Thursday night (14 April).
That secured a 4-1 victory on aggregate and set up a semi-final with Eintracht Frankfurt.
The winner of that two-legged tie will face either RB Leipzig or Rangers in the final in Seville.
“They have a much better chance of keeping hold of Rice if they win it,” Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Is it better to finish fifth or sixth and win the Europa League to get in the Champions League or finish fourth? Of course, it is.
“You’ve won a trophy and you’re in the Champions League which is where you want to be next season.
“Then you can start planning off the back of that with more money and being a more attractive club to join.
“There is every chance of Declan Rice staying another year too. It’s absolutely huge for West Ham.”
Rice is under contract at the London Stadium until the summer of 2024 and the club have the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.
The 23-year-old has played 187 times across all competitions for the Hammers and looks set to be named club captain in the summer when Mark Noble retires.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Uefa now have the power to ‘relegate’ West Ham after a ‘major’ announcement.