Newcastle United’s pursuit of Amar Dedic appears to have taken another significant step forward.
According to SportSport’s Midhat Sljivak, the Benfica defender has reportedly agreed personal terms ahead of a potential move to St. James’ Park.
“The great right-back has already agreed to the transfer and negotiations are ongoing with Benfica regarding the amount of the compensation,” Sljivak reported.
The Magpies opened talks over the 23-year-old earlier this week, and The Athletic’s Chris Waugh confirmed
Dedic as a Newcastle target following the loss to Everton on Wednesday, highlighting how urgently the club needs another senior option at full-back.
“Newcastle desperately need to sign (at least) one, and Dedic 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 Dedic can fulfil his demands swiftly.”
There remains a difference between the clubs, however, with the agreement for the transfer fee the lone pending detail to solve before the transfer is completed. According to Sljivak, Benfica wants €33 million (£29 million), while Newcastle intends to open at €25 million (£22 million) and will reportedly not exceed €30 million (£26 million) for the right-back.
“The maximum offer for Dedic will be €30 million,” Sljivak reported. “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.”
Dedic’s versatility is particularly valuable given Newcastle’s current situation. Lewis Hall returned from injury in Wednesday’s 3-1 preseason defeat to Everton and could request a transfer to Manchester United, and Tino Livramento remains sidelined and is racing to recover ahead of the Premier League opener against Liverpool.
Despite that gap in valuation, SportSport expects negotiations to produce an agreement because Benfica is willing to sanction Dedic’s departure quickly.
“There will be no problems in the agreement, because the Portuguese giant is ready to sell the Bosnian football player,” Sljivak reported. “Dedic should go to Newcastle very soon.”
Would €30-33 million be reasonable for Dedic given Newcastle’s desperate need at full-back? Would you target another player? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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