Newcastle now closing in on summer signing with agreement at ‘final stages’

Newcastle have spent plenty of money this summer, but the departures still tell the bigger story.

Anthony Gordon joined Barcelona before the window had properly gathered pace. Sandro Tonali then moved to Tottenham for £100 million before captain Bruno Guimaraes completed a £75 million switch to Arsenal.

Losing three leading players would have been difficult enough. Kieran Trippier, Matt Targett, Emil Krafth and John Ruddy have also gone, while Eddie Howe resigned and was replaced by Matthias Jaissle.

It has left Newcastle trying to rebuild the squad and its leadership group at the same time.

Their response has focused firmly on youth.

Ewen Jaouen arrived from Reims before Newcastle paid around £42 million for Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Touré. Sean Steur, Aladji Bamba and Lukas Hornicek have since followed, taking the club’s reported spending beyond £140 million.

All five are 24 or younger, giving Newcastle a group with considerable room to develop, but it also places major responsibility on established figures such as Joelinton, Dan Burn and Sven Botman.

Jaissle still needs more players who understand the demands of his football.

Newcastle’s need at full back is particularly clear, with Trippier’s departure removing their most experienced option on the right, while Tino Livramento underwent minor surgery during the summer.

Lewis Hall is the established choice on the opposite side, but the squad lacks another senior player capable of covering both positions without forcing a tactical reshuffle.

Amar Dedic could solve that problem.

The Bosnia international normally operates at right back but has also played on the left. He is quick, energetic and comfortable moving forward, making him suited to the aggressive pressing game Jaissle is expected to introduce.

The pair already know each other from RB Salzburg, where Dedic developed into a senior regular during Jaissle’s spell in Austria before later spending part of the 24/25 campaign on loan at Marseille.

Benfica signed him from Salzburg for around £11 million last summer and handed him a contract running until 2030, with Dedic going on to make 43 appearances across all competitions during his first season in Lisbon, scoring once and supplying four assists.

Newcastle have now moved closer to securing him after opening talks recently, with Jaissle personally green-lighting the deal.

Newcastle closing in on Dedic deal with agreement at ‘final stages’

Fabrizio Romano reports that Dedic has agreed personal terms and wants to move to St James’ Park.

Negotiations with Benfica are said to have reached the final stages, with the complete package expected to exceed £26 million. Nothing has been signed yet, but the important pieces are falling into place.

Dedic would become Newcastle’s sixth senior signing and the first arrival sealed since Jaissle replaced Howe.

That makes the deal about more than filling a gap at right back.

After a summer dominated by high-profile exits, Newcastle are finally close to delivering a player specifically chosen for the new manager’s system.