Newcastle United find themselves in a familiar position this summer.
The Magpies have made solid progress in recent seasons, but the need to strengthen the squad in key areas remains clear. Depth continues to be a genuine concern across several positions, and the club’s recruitment team is under pressure to address those weaknesses before the transfer window closes.
One area that stands out more than most is right-back.
While the first-choice option is of a high standard, the lack of reliable cover has become impossible to ignore. With the Premier League becoming more demanding every year, relying on a single player in such a crucial role is a risk few top-flight sides are willing to take.
Tino Livramento has established himself as a very capable Premier League right-back. On his day, the England international offers pace, defensive solidity and the ability to contribute in the final third. He has shown he can handle the physical and tactical demands of the English top flight, and many supporters regard him as one of the more consistent performers in the current squad.
However, Livramento is currently dealing with an injury sustained during the World Cup. That setback has left Newcastle paper-thin in the position. The absence of a proven alternative means the club is exposed should the recovery take longer than expected or if further fitness issues arise during a long and intense campaign.
At present, the only other recognised right-back option is 19-year-old Leo Shahar. While the youngster has shown promise and may develop into a useful squad player in the years ahead, he cannot realistically be expected to provide reliable cover for an entire Premier League season. Youth and potential are valuable, but experience and consistency are essential when competing at this level week after week.
Given Livramento’s injury history and the limited options behind him, it makes clear sense for Newcastle United to add another right-back. The club needs someone who can step in without a significant drop in quality, whether through rotation, injury cover or tactical flexibility. Signing a player in this position would represent a pragmatic and necessary piece of business.
Interestingly, it appears the Magpies may already be close to resolving the issue. Reports emerging from Bosnia and Herzegovina suggest that progress has been made on a potential new arrival, and the situation is more advanced than many supporters might realise.
Amar Dedic Agrees Personal Terms with Newcastle United
According to Bosnian outlet SportSport, right-back Amar Dedic has already agreed personal terms with Newcastle United. The 23-year-old Bosnian international is currently contracted to Benfica, and formal negotiations between the two clubs over a transfer fee are now underway.
Benfica are understood to be seeking a fee in the region of €33 million for the defender. Newcastle, however, are reluctant to go beyond €30 million. While that gap is not enormous by modern Premier League standards, it still requires careful negotiation. Both clubs will be aiming to protect their financial interests while finding a figure that allows the deal to progress.
Despite the difference in valuation, there is growing confidence that an agreement will be reached in the near future. Sources close to the situation in Bosnia indicate that Benfica are prepared to sanction the sale. The Portuguese side appear willing to part company with Dedic, which removes one of the more common obstacles in cross-border transfers.
As things stand, the personal terms between player and club are not expected to cause any major delay. Once the two clubs settle on a fee, the remaining formalities should be relatively straightforward. That does not mean the deal is guaranteed, but the signs are more positive than they often are at this stage of discussions.
For Newcastle, securing a player of Dedic’s profile would represent a sensible addition to the squad. At 23, he is young enough to improve further yet experienced enough to contribute immediately. His status as a full Bosnian international also suggests he has already proven himself at senior level on the international stage.
The Matthias Jaissle Connection Could Prove Decisive
One factor that cannot be overlooked is Dedic’s previous relationship with Newcastle’s head coach, Matthias Jaissle. The pair have worked together at two different clubs in the past, first at FC Liefering and later at RB Salzburg.
That shared history gives Jaissle a detailed understanding of the player’s strengths, weaknesses and personality. Coaches who have already worked with a player often possess a clearer idea of how that individual will adapt to a new environment, both on and off the pitch. In an era where recruitment can sometimes feel like a calculated risk, prior knowledge is a significant advantage.
Jaissle clearly rated Dedic highly during their time together. Bringing the defender to St James’ Park would therefore send a strong message that the club is prepared to back its head coach with the players he wants. That kind of alignment between the technical staff and the recruitment department is usually viewed as a positive sign by supporters and observers alike.
It also suggests that any move for Dedic would not be a speculative signing driven purely by data or agent influence. Instead, it would be a targeted acquisition based on first-hand experience of the player’s ability and character. In a competitive market, those types of deals often carry a higher chance of success.
What Dedic Could Bring to Newcastle United
While specific performance details are best left to those who have watched him regularly, the broader profile of the player is clear. Dedic is a modern right-back who has developed in a system that values technical quality, tactical discipline and the ability to contribute in both phases of play. His time at Benfica has exposed him to high-level European competition, which should stand him in good stead for the demands of the Premier League.
For Newcastle, the addition of another competent right-back would allow greater flexibility in squad selection. Livramento could be managed more carefully, particularly if his recovery from the World Cup injury requires a measured return. Rotation would become a realistic option rather than a necessity forced by circumstances.
It would also reduce the pressure on younger players such as Shahar. Giving a teenager the occasional opportunity is one thing; relying on him as the primary backup for an entire season is quite another. Adding a more experienced option creates a healthier development pathway for the club’s emerging talent.
Beyond the pure footballing benefits, a successful deal would demonstrate that Newcastle remain active and purposeful in the market. Supporters have grown accustomed to seeing the club compete for quality additions, and addressing an obvious area of need would be well received.
Caution Remains the Sensible Approach
Of course, nothing is fully confirmed at this stage. Transfer negotiations can shift quickly, and unexpected complications sometimes arise even when both parties appear close to an agreement. The difference between Benfica’s asking price and Newcastle’s valuation still needs to be bridged, and that process can take time.
Until official announcements are made by the clubs involved, supporters would be wise to treat the reports with measured optimism rather than certainty. The confidence coming from the Bosnian media is notable, but football history is full of deals that looked close before ultimately falling through.
That said, the combination of personal terms being agreed, Benfica’s apparent willingness to sell, and the existing relationship with Jaissle makes this a more credible story than many transfer rumours that circulate during the window. It is the type of link that deserves to be taken seriously.
For now, all eyes will remain on developments over the coming days and weeks. If the two clubs can find common ground on the fee, Amar Dedic could soon be preparing for life on Tyneside. In a summer where Newcastle United still have work to do, a pragmatic and well-connected addition at right-back would represent a step in the right direction.
Whether the deal is completed in the immediate future or takes a little longer to finalise, the interest itself underlines the club’s desire to improve the squad in positions of genuine need. For a side aiming to compete at the highest level, that ambition remains essential.