Newcastle Agree £29.5m Deal for Amar Dedic, Open Joao Palhinha Talks
Newcastle United have agreed a £29.5m fee with Benfica to sign 23-year-old right-back Amar Dedic, who will travel for a medical on Monday. The club is also holding talks with Bayern Munich regarding a permanent move for midfielder Joao Palhinha.
Amar Dedic is a 23-year-old right-back who has already made a name for himself in the football world. With his primary position being right-back, Dedic is expected to bring immediate cover for Tino Livramento’s calf injury following Kieran Trippier’s free transfer to Wolves.
João Palhinha
playerDedic has an impressive career stat of 31 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina, starting three World Cup matches. This experience and skillset are likely to draw interest from various clubs, and it’s no surprise that Aston Villa, Benfica, and Sporting are named as competing suitors for his services.
Aston Villa, Benfica, and Sporting are the primary suitors for Dedic’s services, with each club having a strong interest in acquiring the talented right-back. However, with Newcastle agreeing a £29.5m deal with Benfica, it seems they are leading the race to sign him.
Newcastle
clubJoao Palhinha appears to prefer remaining in the Premier League if the opportunity arises, which could work in Newcastle’s favor as they open talks with Bayern Munich for a permanent move. This preference might give Newcastle an edge in negotiations, especially since Palhinha is reassessing his options after potential moves involving Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Aston Villa failed to materialize.
Amar Dedic’s On-Pitch Role
Dedic’s tactical fit into Newcastle’s lineup will be crucial, especially given the club’s recent right-back depth issues. With Tino Livramento injured and Kieran Trippier gone, Dedic is expected to provide immediate cover and potentially become a regular starter. His experience playing under head coach Matthias Jaissle at Red Bull Salzburg could also facilitate a smoother transition into the team.
Squad Selection and Starting-Spot Competition
The signing of Dedic will likely impact the squad’s dynamics, particularly in terms of depth and competition for minutes. While Dedic is expected to provide cover for the injured Tino Livramento, his arrival might also influence the playing time of other defenders. However, without explicit information on the current squad’s dynamics, it’s challenging to predict the exact impact of Dedic’s signing on the starting lineup.
Transfer Spending and Wage Cost
The £29.5m fee agreed for Dedic signifies a substantial investment by Newcastle United in strengthening their right-back position. This spend demonstrates the club’s commitment to addressing their defensive needs, especially ahead of the Premier League opener against Liverpool. The exact wage cost for Dedic has not been disclosed, but the transfer fee alone indicates a significant financial commitment by the club.
Keith Downie / Sky Sports News