Newcastle United is racing against time to finalize the £30 million transfer of Bosnia and Herzegovina international Amar Dedic from Portuguese giants Benfica. The club is determined to complete the deal in time for the defender to make his Premier League debut against Liverpool in the season opener next weekend.
The Magpies have reached a preliminary agreement with Benfica for the 23-year-old, whose versatile defensive skills have caught the attention of manager Matthias Jaissle. With personal terms for a five-year contract already agreed upon, Newcastle is now pressing for Dedic to undergo a medical examination by this weekend to finalize the transfer.
Injury crisis accelerates Dedic’s potential arrival
The urgency to complete Dedic’s transfer has intensified due to the ongoing injury concerns surrounding English full-back Tino Livramento. With Livramento still not fully fit as the new season approaches, Newcastle is eager to bolster its defensive options before the highly anticipated match against Liverpool.
The Toon Army will face the Reds at St James’ Park on Sunday, and the club is keen to have Dedic registered and ready to feature in the squad. The arrival of the young defender could provide Jaissle with much-needed flexibility in defensive setups.
Dedic’s versatility and Jaissle’s confidence
Dedic’s ability to play across multiple defensive positions has made him an attractive target for Newcastle. Primarily a right-back, he can seamlessly slot in as a left-back or even operate as a center-back, providing tactical depth to the squad. This adaptability aligns perfectly with Jaissle’s strategic vision for the team.
The German manager has a strong working relationship with Dedic, having previously coached him during their time together at RB Salzburg and Liefering in Austria. Jaissle has publicly endorsed the transfer, emphasizing the defender’s potential to make an immediate impact in Newcastle’s defensive line.
With both clubs finalizing the last administrative details, Newcastle remains optimistic about concluding the deal soon. If all goes according to plan, Dedic could be officially announced as a Newcastle player well before the Liverpool showdown.
