A major transfer to Newcastle United has taken a decisive step forward after Benfica manager
Marco Silva publicly confirmed that one of his key defenders is no longer part of his plans.
The 23-year-old Bosnia international will not feature against Casa Pia on Monday and has already been removed from the squad’s preparations, effectively signalling that his time at the Portuguese club is coming to an end.
Silva’s comments represent the clearest acknowledgement yet from Benfica that Dedic is on his way out.
While negotiations had been progressing quietly in the background, the manager’s decision to leave the player out of Monday’s fixture removes any remaining ambiguity about the direction of travel.
The Deal That Changed Everything
Newcastle United agreed a €35 million deal, roughly £30.3 million, for Dedic over the weekend. Portuguese reports indicated that the necessary documents had already been exchanged between the two clubs and that a five-year contract had been agreed with the player himself.
British sources have since reinforced that the transfer is now all but completed, with Dedic understood to have begun travelling in preparation for his move to the Premier League.
The speed of the final stages has been notable, particularly given how recently the defender was still featuring for Benfica.
Until a few days ago, Dedic remained fully integrated into the first-team group.
He started Thursday’s 1-1 draw away at Hearts in the Europa League, a match attended by Newcastle representatives who were present in the stands to assess their target one final time.
Silva’s Clear Message: Dedic Is Out
Speaking ahead of the Casa Pia fixture, Silva left no room for interpretation. “Regarding Dedic, I can tell you that he will be out of the game,” the Benfica manager stated.
The Portuguese coach went on to explain the process that led to this decision. Previously, Dedic had continued to train and play because the club’s hierarchy had not instructed Silva to remove him from selection. In the absence of any formal feedback, the manager treated every available player as fully committed to the squad.
“Without feedback from the structure, for me all the players count 100% for the games,” Silva explained. “They would be involved in the preparation and, therefore, I had no doubt that Dedic should start or be involved in the game.”
That situation has now changed. Feedback from above has arrived, and Dedic is no longer preparing with the rest of the squad. The timing of the announcement, coming just days after the agreement with Newcastle was reached, underlines how quickly the final pieces of the deal have fallen into place.
“We Didn’t Want to Lose Dedic”
While the move appears close to completion, Silva made it clear that Benfica would have preferred to keep the player. The manager praised Dedic’s contribution last season and suggested the defender still had significant room to grow at the club.
“It’s obvious that he was a player that we, Benfica, didn’t want to lose,” Silva said. His words carried weight, especially given the context of Benfica’s summer business.
The financial side of the transaction, however, sits outside Silva’s responsibilities. “The question of the offer and the financial aspect are things that Benfica’s structure knows better than I do how to manage. That’s not my role,” he added.
Those comments are particularly relevant. Benfica have been under pressure to generate funds from key assets this summer, and Dedic has ultimately become one of the players the club has decided to sell. Silva accepts the commercial reality even if, from a pure footballing perspective, losing his starting right-back was far from ideal.
“Just as we want to sign players, there are also times when we lose players we didn’t want to lose. The market is open and that’s part of it,” the manager concluded.
From First-Team Regular to Departure
Dedic’s trajectory at Benfica has been steady. The young defender established himself as a reliable option on the right side of defence and earned regular minutes under Silva. His performances last season convinced many observers that he had the tools to succeed at a higher level.
Newcastle’s interest has been persistent. The Magpies have monitored the player for some time, and the presence of club representatives at the Hearts match earlier this week showed how seriously they were taking the pursuit. Once the financial package was agreed, progress accelerated rapidly.
For Newcastle, the signing addresses a clear need for depth and competition in the full-back positions. Dedic’s profile young, athletic, and already experienced in European competition — fits the type of player the club has targeted in recent windows.
The five-year contract he is expected to sign also gives Newcastle long-term security over a player still several years away from his peak. At 23, Dedic arrives with room to develop further under manager’s coaching staff.
What Happens Next
With Silva confirming Dedic’s absence from Monday’s match and the player already understood to be travelling, the formal conclusion of the transfer appears imminent. Medical examinations and final paperwork are the remaining steps before the move can be officially announced.
Benfica will now turn their attention to covering the gap left by Dedic’s departure. Silva will have to reshuffle his defensive options in the short term while the club assesses whether a replacement is required before the transfer window closes.
For Newcastle, the arrival of Dedic would represent another significant piece of summer business. The Magpies have been active in the market, and securing a player of his quality at a time when Premier League clubs are competing fiercely for defensive talent underlines their ambition.
The fact that Benfica’s own manager has now publicly acknowledged the exit removes the last significant obstacle from the Portuguese side. After weeks of speculation and careful negotiation, the path to St James’ Park looks clear.
A Transfer That Reflects Modern Realities
Silva’s comments also highlighted a familiar tension in modern football. Managers often want to retain their best performers, yet clubs must balance sporting ambition with financial necessity. Benfica’s decision to accept Newcastle’s offer shows where the balance ultimately fell on this occasion.
Dedic himself has handled the situation professionally. He continued to perform while talks were ongoing and only stepped away from the squad once the deal reached its final phase. That approach has earned him credit on both sides of the negotiation.
As the formalities are completed in the coming days, attention will shift to how quickly Dedic can adapt to life in the Premier League. Newcastle fans will be eager to see their new signing in action, while Benfica supporters will reflect on the departure of a player many believed still had his best years ahead of him in Lisbon.
One thing is now beyond doubt. After Marco Silva’s public confirmation, Amar Dedic’s future lies away from Benfica. Newcastle United are on the verge of completing a significant piece of business, and the defender is preparing for the next chapter of his career on Tyneside.