Newcastle United signs Amar Dedic from SL Benfica for €35M

Newcastle United is pulling Amar Dedic out of Lisbon barely a year after the Bosnian right-back arrived at SL Benfica. The deal, reportedly valued at around €35 million, brings the 23-year-old defender to St James’ Park on a five-year contract running through 2031.

The fee represents a significant discount. Dedic’s release clause at Benfica sat at €50 million, meaning Newcastle negotiated roughly 30% off the sticker price.

The Jaissle connection

This transfer has a reunion storyline baked right into it. Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle previously managed Dedic during his time at Red Bull Salzburg. Personal terms on the five-year deal were agreed upon relatively quickly, suggesting Dedic didn’t need much convincing about the project Jaissle is building on Tyneside.

Dedic, born on August 18, 2002, only joined Benfica in July 2025 for €12 million. In the span of roughly 13 months, the Portuguese club nearly tripled its investment, turning a €12 million buy into a €35 million sale.

During his single season at Benfica, Dedic made over 25 appearances across league play and Champions League qualifiers.

Filling a defensive gap

Newcastle’s interest in Dedic isn’t just about reuniting coach and player. The club has a genuine defensive shortage heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Tino Livramento, the incumbent right-back, is currently recovering from surgery, leaving a position-shaped hole in Jaissle’s squad.

If the transfer is finalized and Dedic passes his medical in time, he could potentially make his Premier League debut against Liverpool on August 23, 2026.

Newcastle’s evolving transfer strategy

The negotiation itself is worth noting. Convincing Benfica to sell for €35 million when a €50 million release clause existed required either persuasive dealmaking or a willing seller. For context, €35 million converts to roughly £25.6-30 million at current exchange rates.

As of August 15, 2026, final negotiations are ongoing, with critical details still emerging, and no official agreement has been announced by either Benfica or Newcastle United.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.