Newcastle United have confirmed that they have struck a deal with Portuguese side Benfica to bring the 23‑year‑old defender Amar Dedic to St James' Park. According to sources at Sky Sports News, the Magpies are prepared to pay a fee in the region of £29.5 million for the right‑back, a sum that reflects both his age and the experience he has already amassed at senior level.
Dedic is expected to travel to Newcastle on Monday for a medical examination, after which the paperwork should be completed and the transfer registered. While a few administrative steps remain, the club is optimistic that the signing will be finalised in time for the opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool next Sunday, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. If everything proceeds as planned, Dedic could be named in the squad for that high‑profile encounter, giving the manager an immediate option at the back.
The timing of the acquisition is particularly significant for Newcastle because their regular right‑hand defender, Tino Livramento, is still on the sidelines. Livramento suffered a calf strain while representing England in June and has not yet been cleared to resume full training.
The injury has left a noticeable gap in the Magpies' defensive line‑up, and Dedic is being positioned as a direct replacement until the English youngster regains full fitness. Dedic is not an unfamiliar face to the Newcastle coaching staff.
He previously worked under head coach Matthias Jaissle at Red Bull Salzburg, where he played a key role in the club’s successful defence of the Austrian Bundesliga title in 2023. Jaissle, who now leads Newcastle, praised Dedic’s tactical awareness, stamina, and ability to contribute both defensively and offensively on the flank.
That prior relationship is expected to ease Dedic’s integration into the squad and the Premier League’s demanding style of play. The signing also addresses a clear need that emerged after Newcastle’s long‑serving right‑back Kieran Trippier departed for Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free transfer earlier this summer.
Trippier’s exit left a void that the club has been eager to fill, and Dedic’s arrival is seen as a direct response to that requirement. Beyond the immediate defensive concerns, the Bosnian‑Herzegovinian international brings a respectable international pedigree.
He has earned 31 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina and featured prominently at the 2022 World Cup, starting three of his nation’s four matches in Qatar. His experience on the world stage adds a layer of composure and confidence that could prove valuable for a Newcastle side looking to cement its place among England’s elite clubs. In addition to the Dedic deal, Newcastle are also reportedly engaged in negotiations for a permanent transfer for João Palhinha from Bayern Munich.
The Portuguese midfielder has been a target for the Magpies as they seek to bolster their central midfield after a series of near‑misses in the transfer market. Earlier in the week, attempts to secure Pierre‑Emile Hojbjerg and a loan move for Palhinha from Aston Villa fell through, leaving Newcastle to explore other avenues. Bayern Munich have made it clear that they are not interested in loaning out Palhinha, a stance reiterated by Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl, who stated that the German club would not entertain a temporary deal with Villa. Consequently, Palhinha is now reassessing his options.
While returning to Portugal – with interest from both Benfica and Sporting Lisbon – remains on the table, the midfielder has indicated a preference for staying in the Premier League if the right opportunity presents itself. The combined focus on strengthening both the defensive line and the midfield underscores Newcastle’s ambition to improve on last season’s performance and to compete more consistently against the league’s top teams. By securing a player like Dedic, who brings both youth and experience, and by continuing to pursue a quality midfielder such as Palhinha, the club aims to build a more balanced and resilient squad.
Fans can stay updated on the latest transfer developments through the Transfer Centre LIVE app, which provides real‑time headlines, Premier League ins and outs, and streaming options for matches without a contract commitment. As the summer window draws to a close, Newcastle’s activity reflects a proactive approach to squad building, with the hope that these strategic additions will translate into on‑field success throughout the forthcoming campaign. In summary, Amar Dedic’s impending move to Newcastle United represents a calculated investment in a promising right‑back who already possesses Premier League‑ready qualities, international experience, and a familiar connection to the club’s manager.
His arrival is set to bolster a back line currently hampered by injury, while the ongoing pursuit of João Palhinha signals the club’s broader intent to reinforce its midfield depth. Together, these moves illustrate Newcastle’s determination to assemble a competitive roster capable of challenging for higher league positions and making a strong impression in domestic and European competitions.