Newcastle progressing with move for Benfica defender Dedic

Image caption, Amar Dedic has won 31 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Amar Dedic has won 31 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Newcastle United are in advanced talks with Benfica to sign defender Amar Dedic.

The club have been in the market for a new right-back following the departure of veteran Kieran Trippier, who joined Wolves on a free transfer after his contract expired earlier this summer.

Dedic, 23, previously worked with Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle at RB Salzburg and was a regular in the side that retained the Austrian Bundesliga title in 2023.

Newcastle are understood to be progressing in discussions with Benfica for the Bosnia and Herzegovina international, who is valued at around £30m.

If a deal is completed, Dedic could quickly be called upon to feature in Newcastle's season opener against Liverpool on 23 August as Tino Livramento is still recovering from a calf injury he sustained on international duty with England in June.

Dedic has been capped 31 times and started three of Bosnia and Herzegovina's four matches at the World Cup.

He ranked second for full-backs in Portugal's Primeira Liga last season for carries into the attacking third (49) and third for progressive carries (202) and total carries (325) last season.

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