The Merseyside club is ready to spend £61 million on a Real Madrid star to replace the declining Alexis MacAllister and create a Declan Rice-like version at Anfield.

Liverpool is showing great determination to close the gap with league leaders Arsenal by strengthening its squad during the winter transfer window. Despite a 2-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield to extend their winning streak to three matches, the Reds are still 10 points behind the Gunners in the 2025/26 Premier League standings.

To address this issue, manager Arne Slot has identified the midfield as a top priority for upgrades. According to sources from Spain, Liverpool has submitted a formal £61 million offer to Real Madrid for midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. This move demonstrates the Dutch strategist’s ambition to find a complete defensive midfielder who can play a similar role to how Declan Rice operates at Arsenal.

Arne Slot needs reinforcements in January.
The similarities between Camavinga and Declan Rice

The reason Arne Slot is eager to acquire Camavinga lies in the French player’s all-around offensive and defensive capabilities. Like Declan Rice – a key factor in Arsenal maintaining their leading position – Camavinga is not simply a defensive midfielder. He possesses a modern skill set including strong tackling, tempo control, and the ability to carry the ball from the back.

Statistics over the past 365 days show that Camavinga is one of the most impressive defensive central midfielders in Europe. In La Liga this season, he has a 70% win rate in one-on-one duels. In addition, the 2002-born star is among the top 20 midfielders in terms of progressive passing and top 4 in successful dribbling. This versatility allows him to take on many roles in Slot’s tactical scheme, from a pure number 6 to a mobile number 8.

Questions about Alexis Mac Allister’s form

The arrival of Camavinga is seen as the solution to Alexis Mac Allister’s form problems. The Argentinian midfielder is going through a difficult period in the Premier League, often losing out in direct challenges. Actual data shows that Mac Allister only achieves a 47% win rate in duels on the ground and 42% in the air – modest figures compared to the demanding requirements of a defensive midfielder in the Premier League.

Camavinga possesses impressive tackling ability.

Not only is he weak defensively, but the former Brighton star’s contribution to the attack has also significantly declined. Mac Allister currently has no goals in the domestic league this season, and his expected assists (xA) are also significantly lower than Camavinga’s. This decline leaves Liverpool’s midfield lacking the necessary solidity and creativity to maintain constant pressure on opponents.

The Obstacle from Real Madrid

Despite Liverpool’s strong determination, this transfer still faces many challenges. Real Madrid currently has no intention of releasing him mid-season because Camavinga plays a crucial role in the Spanish royal club’s plans. However, experts believe Liverpool should continue to pursue this transfer to the end, because a “monster” like Camavinga could be the final piece to transform the Reds into a perfect winning machine.

Overall, signing Eduardo Camavinga not only helped Arne Slot solve the personnel problem of replacing Mac Allister, but also brought in a world-class midfielder capable of changing the course of the title race for the remainder of the season.