Amar Dedić, Benfica's 23-year-old right-back and Bosnia and Herzegovina international, is edging closer to a Premier League move. While Newcastle United are in concrete talks with the Lisbon club, Tottenham have also joined the list of interested parties.
Amar Dedić's departure from Benfica this summer is looking increasingly likely, with the English Premier League emerging as the most probable destination. According to N1 BiH, the 23-year-old right-back for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team has caught the attention of two clubs from England, with Newcastle United going a step further than the rest.
Fabrizio Romano, a transfer specialist journalist, announced on Twitter that Newcastle and Benfica have entered direct talks over the transfer of the young full-back. "Newcastle are in club to club talks with Benfica for 23 year old fullback Amar Dedić. Negotiations started today..." Romano wrote, which means that negotiations between the clubs began on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
This makes Newcastle the most concrete suitor so far, but the situation is changing by the hour. According to the latest reports, negotiations are in the final stages, and personal terms with the player have been agreed. As reported by The Athletic, Newcastle's new manager Matthias Jaissle wants Dedić as his first signing, and he is the key advocate for this transfer. Jaissle and Dedić previously worked together at Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg, and the German coach believes his former player fits perfectly into the style of football he wants to play in the Premier League.
According to journalists close to Tottenham, Dedić has been included on the shortlist of players the North London club is considering for the right-back position. Spurs are looking to strengthen that side of the pitch, and the Bosnia and Herzegovina international is one of the candidates they have their eye on.
The arrival of another interested club does not favor Newcastle, but it is excellent news for Benfica. A greater number of suitors gives the Lisbon club a stronger negotiating position and the opportunity to secure the highest possible fee for their player. According to The Athletic, Benfica has a release clause of €50 million, but they are willing to accept a significantly lower amount, targeting a fee of around €35 million. On the other hand, Fabrizio Romano states that a deal is close and that the final fee could exceed €30 million.
The transfer rumors have been further fueled by Dedić's current situation in Portugal. At the start of the new season, he has lost his place in the starting lineup and is no longer getting the playing time he is accustomed to, which opens the door for a departure before the summer transfer window closes.
Dedić arrived at Benfica last summer, but his stint in Portugal could thus last only one season, provided that an offer that satisfies all parties involved lands at the club's address. Newcastle is currently facing major issues in the full-back positions - Tino Livramento is recovering from calf surgery, while Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, and Matt Targett have all left the club. Dedić's versatility, as he can play on both sides of the defense, is extremely important to the English club.
A potential transfer would also have significance for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team. Tarik Muharemović has already joined Leeds United this summer, and Dedić's arrival would mean the Premier League gains another regular international from that country.
At this moment, Newcastle has made more concrete strides, while Tottenham's entry suggests that the race for Amar Dedić's signature could become one of the more interesting stories of the transfer window's final stretch. If all goes according to plan, Dedić could be ready for Newcastle's league opener against Liverpool on August 23.
