Newcastle United have confirmed that they have struck a deal with Portuguese side Benfica to bring the 23‑year‑old Bosnian defender Amar Dedic to the club. According to sources close to the negotiation, the transfer fee is reported to be around £29.5 million, a figure that reflects Dedic's reputation as one of the most promising right‑backs in European football. The youngster is expected to travel to Newcastle on Monday for his medical assessment, after which the paperwork will be completed and the move will be officially announced. While a few administrative steps still need to be finalised, the club’s hierarchy is confident that Dedic will be registered in time to feature in Newcastle’s opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool, scheduled for next Sunday and broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The timing of the signing is particularly significant because Newcastle’s current first‑choice right‑back, Tino Livramento, is still on the sidelines nursing a calf strain sustained while representing England in June. Should Livramento’s recovery take longer than anticipated, Dedic could be thrust straight into the starting eleven at St James’ Park, providing the team with a fresh, defensively solid option on the flank. Dedic’s connection to Newcastle’s head coach, Matthias Jaissle, adds another layer of intrigue to the transfer. The two previously worked together at Red Bull Salzburg, where Dedic was a key figure in the side that defended its Austrian Bundesliga crown in 2023.
Jaissle praised Dedic’s tactical intelligence, his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively, and his professionalism on and off the pitch. Those attributes are expected to fit seamlessly into Jaissle’s high‑pressing, possession‑based philosophy, which Newcastle hopes will translate into consistent Premier League performances.
The acquisition also addresses a clear need that emerged after the departure of veteran right‑back Kieran Trippier, who left the club on a free transfer to join Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this summer. Trippier’s exit left a void not only in terms of experience but also in the set‑piece threat he provided. Dedic, who has already earned 31 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina and started three of his nation’s four matches at the most recent World Cup, brings a blend of youthful vigor and international experience that should help fill that gap.
In addition to the Dedic deal, Newcastle’s transfer activity this window has not been limited to the defensive line. The club is also reportedly engaged in protracted negotiations with Bayern Munich over a permanent move for midfielder João Palhinha.
Palhinha’s situation has become increasingly complex after a failed loan bid from Aston Villa and a breakdown in talks for a possible switch to Newcastle. Bayern have made it clear they are unwilling to loan the player out, prompting sporting director Max Eberl to dismiss the Villa proposal outright.
Consequently, Palhinha is now reassessing his future, with options ranging from staying at Bayern to returning to Portugal, where both Benfica and Sporting have expressed interest. Nonetheless, the midfielder has indicated a preference for remaining in the Premier League should a suitable offer materialise. The broader context of Newcastle’s transfer strategy reflects a desire to strengthen the squad across multiple areas. After losing Trippier, the club identified the right‑back position as a priority, and Dedic’s arrival is seen as a direct response.
At the same time, the midfield has been a focal point, with the club having previously pursued Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg before that deal fell through. The pursuit of Palhinha underscores Newcastle’s ambition to add a physically robust, ball‑winning midfielder capable of anchoring the centre of the park and supporting Jaissle’s high‑intensity style.
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In summary, Newcastle United appear poised to complete the signing of Amar Dedic, a move that not only plugs a defensive hole left by Trippier’s exit but also reunites the player with a coach who knows his strengths. With the medical scheduled for Monday and the transfer paperwork expected to be wrapped up shortly thereafter, the Magpies are likely to field Dedic in their season‑opening clash against Liverpool. Meanwhile, the club continues to explore midfield options, with João Palhinha remaining a key target as Newcastle aims to build a squad capable of challenging for higher league positions and European qualification in the coming years.