Newcastle United are working on a deal to sign Benfica full-back Amar Dedic, with Matthias Jaissle hoping to make the 23-year-old his first addition since taking charge earlier this month.
The move would also fit a pressing need. Newcastle have lost Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth and Matt Targett, leaving the squad short at full-back at a time when Tino Livramento is recovering from a minor calf operation. Livramento had surgery in June and is unlikely to be fit until the end of the month.
That timetable matters because Newcastle open their Premier League season against Liverpool on Sunday, August 23. If the transfer is completed in time, Dedic could be in line to feature in that match and help plug an immediate gap in the back line.
Why Dedic appeals to Newcastle
Dedic is not a new name to Jaissle. The Newcastle head coach is hoping to be reunited with a player he already knows well, and that familiarity appears to be a factor in why the deal is moving forward. The article also notes that Dedic is seen as an ideal stylistic fit, which makes the transfer more than just a short-term depth move.
There is also a bit of history in the background. Last season, Dedic spent a short loan spell at Marseille and also played as a visiting player for Benfica at St James' Park in the Champions League, when Newcastle won 3-0. That adds another layer to a move that would bring him back to a stadium he has already experienced from the other side.
For Jaissle, the transfer would be significant for another reason: it would be his first signing as Newcastle manager. And while the long-term optimism around his appointment remains strong, the immediate need is clear. As Chris Waugh noted, there is real excitement within Newcastle about what Jaissle can do on Tyneside in the medium to long run, but in the short term he desperately needs reinforcements.
If Newcastle can get the deal done, they would address one of the squad's most obvious weak spots and give Jaissle a much-needed option before the season begins.
