The chase for Amar Dedic by Newcastle United seems to have made further notable progress.
Reports from SportSport’s Midhat Sljivak indicate that the Benfica defender has reached an agreement on personal terms before a prospective switch to St. James’ Park.
“The talented right-sided defender has given his consent to the move, and discussions continue with Benfica to settle the final transfer fee,” Sljivak stated.
Discussions regarding the 23-year-old were initiated by the Magpies earlier in the week, with Chris Waugh of The Athletic verifying that Dedic is indeed a Newcastle target after Wednesday’s defeat to Everton, emphasizing the club’s pressing need for an experienced full-back alternative.
“Newcastle have an urgent requirement to secure (at minimum) one full-back, and Dedic is on their radar,” Waugh noted. “The 23-year-old operates mainly on the right but offers the versatility to cover both flanks, and having previously played under Jaissle at Red Bull Salzburg, the manager should feel assured of his ability to quickly adapt to his tactical system.”
A valuation gap persists between the two sides, with the final transfer fee representing the only unresolved obstacle to finalizing the deal. Sljivak notes that Benfica is holding out for €33 million (£29 million), whereas Newcastle plans to start bidding at €25 million (£22 million) and reportedly has no intention of going above €30 million (£26 million) for the defender.
“The absolute highest bid for Dedic is set at €30 million,” Sljivak wrote. “They will naturally begin with a more modest sum of €25 million, though they are prepared to stretch to €30 million. ‘We refuse to pay a single penny extra,’ is the firm stance being communicated from England to the Portuguese side.”
The adaptability of Dedic is incredibly useful in light of Newcastle’s present squad constraints. Although Lewis Hall made his comeback from injury during Wednesday’s 3-1 friendly loss to Everton, he might push for a move to Manchester United, while Tino Livramento is still recovering and facing a race against time to be fit for the Premier League kickoff against Liverpool.
Regardless of the pricing discrepancy, SportSport anticipates a successful resolution to the talks, as Benfica is prepared to authorize Dedic’s transfer without delay.
“An agreement should be reached smoothly, as the Portuguese powerhouse is open to letting the Bosnian international go,” Sljivak stated. “Dedic is expected to complete his move to Newcastle in the near future.”
Do you think a fee of €30-33 million is fair for Dedic, considering Newcastle’s critical shortage of full-backs? Is there a different player you would pursue instead? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
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