Newcastle United have opened discussions with Benfica over a possible deal for Amar Dedic, with the 23-year-old keen on a move to St James’ Park. The report, carried by Lee Ryder, says Newcastle have made contact as new head coach Matthias Jaissle considers defensive options after the exits of Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth and Matt Targett.
Amar Dedic transfer talks catch fire
Dedic mainly plays at right-back, though he can cover on the left and operate centrally. Benfica reportedly value him at around €30m (£25.6m), while Everton and Fulham have shown interest. His preference, however, points towards Newcastle because of his previous relationship with Jaissle, who coached him at Liefering and Salzburg.
The numbers from last season add some weight to the interest. Dedic made 24 Liga Portugal appearances, playing 1,901 minutes, and supplied one goal and four assists. He logged another 804 minutes across 10 Champions League appearances.
Why Amar Dedic makes sense for Newcastle
Newcastle need this sort of defender. The departures have left the full-back department short on experienced cover, while Jaissle needs players who can absorb his demands quickly.
Dedic offers that flexibility. He can overlap from the right, switch to the left and provide another option inside the back line. That matters because Newcastle can’t build their season around one fixed defensive shape. Jaissle’s familiarity with him should help too; there won’t be the same period of teaching basic tactical habits from scratch.
His 2025/26 output wasn’t spectacular, but it was useful: one goal and four assists in the league show he can contribute beyond defensive work. His 87% passing figure in the Champions League, from the supplied assessment, adds another reason to trust him in possession.
Newcastle should control the fee
I wouldn’t hand Benfica a blank cheque. Dedic is signed until 2030, and reports have previously pointed to a €50m release clause, while current reporting places Benfica’s negotiating figure closer to €30m.
A €22m guaranteed payment plus up to €5m in performance-related additions makes more sense than paying the full asking price immediately. Newcastle have already spent heavily this summer and need financial discipline.
Dedic looks like a sensible Jaissle signing, especially with the manager’s personal knowledge of him. Yet Newcastle should keep assessing alternatives before committing their biggest defensive budget to one target.
