Newcastle United Closing In on Amar Dedić Transfer

Newcastle United’s chase for Amar Dedić has moved into a decisive phase, with the Benfica defender reported to have agreed personal terms ahead of a proposed switch to St James’ Park.

Bosnian outlet SportSport, via journalist Midhat Sljivak, claims the 23-year-old right-back has given the green light to the transfer, leaving Newcastle and Benfica to thrash out the fee.

“The great right-back has already agreed to the transfer and negotiations are ongoing with Benfica regarding the amount of the compensation,” Sljivak reported.

Fee gap on the table

The deal now hinges on money. Benfica are said to be holding out for around €33 million (£29 million). Newcastle, for their part, plan to open talks at €25 million (£22 million) and are described as unwilling to go beyond €30 million (£26 million).

“The maximum offer for Dedić will be €30 million,” Sljivak added. “Of course, they will start with a slightly lower figure of €25 million, but they are ready to go up to €30 million. ‘We don’t want to give a cent more,’ is the clear message from England to the Portuguese giant.”

That standoff frames the next few days. But the tone from Bosnia is clear: Newcastle believe they’ve done the hard part with the player, and now it’s about pushing Benfica towards compromise.

Why Newcastle are pushing

The urgency is obvious. Newcastle’s need for another senior full-back has become acute, and it showed in Wednesday’s 3-1 preseason defeat to Everton.

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh confirmed Dedić as a concrete target after that loss, underlining how thin Eddie Howe’s options look in the wide defensive areas.

“Newcastle desperately need to sign (at least) one, and Dedić is a target,” Waugh reported. “The 23-year-old is predominantly a right-back but can play down both sides, which is desirable, and he worked under Jaissle at Red Bull Salzburg, so the German will be confident that Dedić can fulfil his demands swiftly.”

That versatility is key. Dedić can operate on both flanks, a trait that suddenly feels priceless on Tyneside.

Lewis Hall has only just returned from injury in that Everton defeat and is already being linked with the possibility of a move to Manchester United. Tino Livramento, meanwhile, remains sidelined and is battling to be fit in time for the Premier League opener against Liverpool.

Put simply, Newcastle cannot afford to start the season short in those areas. Dedić would not just plug a gap; he would give Howe tactical flexibility on both sides of the back line.

Benfica ready to sell

Despite the current difference in valuation, SportSport suggests the deal is more likely than not. The reason: Benfica’s stance on the player.

“There will be no problems in the agreement, because the Portuguese giant is ready to sell the Bosnian football player,” Sljivak reported. “Dedić should go to Newcastle very soon.”

That expectation, that sense of inevitability, now surrounds the move. Personal terms are said to be agreed. The player is ready. Newcastle have drawn their financial line in the sand. Benfica want more, but not an outrageous amount more.

One of them will blink. The only question is whether it happens in time for Dedić to walk out at St James’ Park in black and white before Liverpool come to town.