At this point, we’ve complained about the lack of full-back links for so long it was about time we got one. Now, finally, reporters are starting to link them.
The word comes from Fabrizio Romano, and it’s a good one. The Italian claims that Newcastle are now in club-to-club talks with Benfica for 23-year-old right-back.
Romano says negotiations kicked off today, that Dedić is keen on the move to Tyneside, and, crucially, that he’s been approved as a target by Matthias Jaissle himself. Romano’s added his little “deal on” line too, which is usually a decent sign we’re not just kicking tyres here.
Jaissle reunion on the cards?
A new manager likes to bring in players they know, so we always suspected one of Jaissle’s former players would join up. Under Jaissle at RB Salzburg, he racked up 52 appearances and chipped in with a direct hand in 10 goals from full-back, which is a tidy return for a defender.
The German often used Dedić as an inverted left-back rather than sticking him out wide on the right. That would fit with the rumours that the club wants to sign one full-back to cover both flanks, especially when many would argue Tino is a better left-back than he is a right-back.
No rumours about the fee, though Benfica were quoted as wanting £40-£50m in January when Man City were interested in him, with Benfica pointing to his contract length and rapid development. However, no formal offer was ever put forward, so no fee was ever confirmed.
Newcastle were actually linked to Dedić in 2023, when Chelsea were another club monitoring him. He went to Benfica for around €12m, so very much one that got away for Newcastle.
A good move for Newcastle
Amar Dedić might not be a name many fans are that aware of, but he’s a good pickup, despite the Portuguese league often being a hard one to judge. He’s a pacy full-back who can get forward, carry the ball, and put in a cross.
When compared to Tino Livramento, the pair are fairly similar. Dedić is more the carry-the-ball type, whereas Tino is more likely to pass the ball forward.
For now, it’s just a link, but the “deal on” chat, alongside a club-to-club contact, means it’s likely fairly close. This is, of course, provided the link is real, and isn’t agent talk.
Newcastle United have spent the best part of the last few seasons crying out for genuine depth and quality in the full-back positions. Injuries, suspensions, and the sheer physical demands of competing on multiple fronts have repeatedly exposed how thin the squad can look when the first-choice options are unavailable. That long-standing frustration is exactly why the latest development feels significant.
For months the conversation among supporters has revolved around the same problem: the lack of credible links for a high-level full-back. While other areas of the pitch have attracted regular speculation, the flanks have remained strangely quiet. That silence has now been broken by a report that carries real weight.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Newcastle are in direct club-to-club discussions with Benfica over the potential signing of Amar Dedić. The information builds on earlier reporting from Sam (@samc_reports) and paints a picture of a deal that is already moving beyond the exploratory stage.
According to Romano, talks began today. More importantly, the player himself is understood to be keen on the idea of moving to Tyneside. That personal willingness is often the difference between a protracted negotiation and a relatively smooth process. When the player wants the transfer, clubs on both sides tend to find solutions more quickly.
The most telling detail, however, is that Matthias Jaissle has given his personal approval for the target. New managers rarely waste time identifying players who fit their preferred style of play. When a coach specifically signs off on a name, it usually means the scouting department and the technical staff are already aligned.
Romano’s use of the phrase “deal on” is another encouraging signal. While it does not guarantee a completed transfer, it has historically indicated that serious progress is being made rather than simple interest being floated for leverage.
The Jaissle connection runs deeper than most realise
It is no secret that managers prefer to work with players they already know and trust. The arrival of Matthias Jaissle was always likely to open the door for at least one former charge. Dedić spent a productive spell under the German coach at RB Salzburg, where he made 52 appearances and contributed directly to ten goals from the full-back position.
Those numbers are solid for a defender, particularly one still developing his game at the time. More interesting than the raw statistics is the tactical role Jaissle asked him to fill. Rather than deploying Dedić exclusively as a traditional right-back, the coach frequently inverted him on the left side. That flexibility is exactly what Newcastle appear to be seeking.
There have been consistent suggestions that the club is looking for a single full-back capable of covering both flanks rather than two specialised signings. Livramento’s preference for the left side has been widely discussed among supporters, and many believe he is more effective when allowed to operate on that flank. A player comfortable on either side would therefore give Jaissle genuine tactical options without forcing awkward positional compromises.
The inverted full-back role has become increasingly popular in modern football. It allows a defender to step into midfield, create overloads, and help control the tempo of possession. Dedić’s experience in that system under Jaissle suggests he would not require a lengthy adaptation period if asked to perform similar duties on Tyneside.
The financial picture remains unclear
As is often the case in the early stages of a transfer, there has been no concrete information about the fee Benfica would demand. The only previous benchmark available comes from January, when Manchester City were linked with the player. At that time, reports suggested Benfica valued him in the £40-50 million range, citing both the length of his contract and the rapid progress he had made since arriving in Portugal.
No formal offer was ever submitted by City, so those figures remain speculative. Transfer valuations can shift quickly depending on a club’s need to sell, the player’s desire to leave, and the financial situation of the buying club. Newcastle’s ability to structure a deal that works for all parties will ultimately decide whether this particular story gathers real momentum.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Newcastle have been linked with Dedić. Back in 2023 the club was among those monitoring his progress, alongside Chelsea. Benfica eventually secured his signature for a fee believed to be in the region of €12 million. At the time it looked like a shrewd piece of business for the Portuguese side and a missed opportunity for the Magpies. If the current talks succeed, it would represent a second chance to correct that earlier decision.
What Dedić would actually bring to the squad
For many Newcastle supporters the name Amar Dedić may not immediately ring a bell. The Portuguese league can be a difficult competition from which to judge talent, and players who excel there do not always translate their form seamlessly into the Premier League. That said, the profile of this particular full-back looks well suited to the demands of English football.
Dedić is a naturally athletic player with good recovery pace. He is comfortable carrying the ball out of defence and progressing up the pitch, rather than always looking for the simple sideways pass. His ability to deliver crosses from advanced positions has been a regular feature of his game, and he is not afraid to commit himself in one-versus-one situations higher up the field.
A comparison with Tino Livramento is inevitable. Both are young, athletic full-backs who can contribute in the final third. The main stylistic difference appears to be in how they prefer to progress the ball. Livramento often looks for the forward pass early, while Dedić is more inclined to drive with the ball at his feet and create the opening himself. That contrast could prove useful for Jaissle, giving him two complementary options rather than identical profiles.
Versatility remains the key selling point. A player who can operate as a conventional right-back, an inverted left-back, or even as an emergency option further forward offers squad value that goes beyond pure first-team minutes. In a season that could again involve Premier League, domestic cups, and European competition, that kind of multi-positional reliability is extremely attractive.
How close is the deal really?
It is important to keep a sense of perspective. At this stage the story remains a link, not a completed transfer. Club-to-club contact has been established and the player is reportedly open to the move, but that is still some distance from a signed contract and a medical.
Nevertheless, the combination of factors currently in play is more encouraging than most transfer rumours. The involvement of Romano, the confirmation of direct talks, the player’s personal interest, and the explicit approval of the head coach all point towards a serious piece of business rather than pure speculation or agent-driven noise.
Whether Benfica are prepared to sell at a price Newcastle consider realistic will ultimately determine the outcome. The Portuguese club are under no immediate pressure to cash in on a young player with years left on his contract, so the Magpies will need to present a compelling offer. If the valuation gap can be bridged, however, the foundations for a deal already appear to be in place.
For Newcastle supporters who have waited a long time for meaningful full-back reinforcement, the emergence of this particular target feels like a step in the right direction. A player known to the manager, comfortable in multiple roles, and reportedly keen on the project ticks several of the boxes that have been missing for some time.
The coming days and weeks will reveal whether the talks progress into formal negotiations and, eventually, a completed transfer. Until then, the link itself at least provides something concrete to discuss after months of relative silence on the full-back front. If the deal does come to fruition, it would represent both a reunion for Jaissle and a second chance for Newcastle to land a player they had previously admired.