Newcastle scouts watch Dedic in Europa League as €5m fee gap stalls Benfica deal

Newcastle United scouts were present at Tynecastle on Thursday night to watch Amar Dedic as the Premier League club edge closer to signing the Benfica right-back, though a disagreement over the transfer fee continues to hold up the deal.

Dedic, 23, played the full 90 minutes as Benfica drew 1-1 with Hearts in their Europa League third qualifying round second leg — progressing 7-2 on aggregate — and struck the post with a header. Portuguese newspaper O Jogo reported that Newcastle’s representatives in the stands were “very attentive” to his performance. With Newcastle and Edinburgh roughly 100 miles apart, the scouting trip was a straightforward one for the Magpies’ staff.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international has reportedly agreed personal terms with Newcastle, but the clubs remain at odds over the fee. Benfica are holding out for €35m (£30.4m), while Newcastle are unwilling to exceed €30m (£25.6m), leaving a €5m gap to bridge.

Dedic has a pre-existing relationship with Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle, having played under him at RB Salzburg between 2021 and 2023. The defender joined Benfica from Marseille in the summer of 2025, making 43 appearances in all competitions last season before starting three of Bosnia’s four games at World Cup 2026.

His arrival would address a pressing positional need at St James’ Park. Kieran Trippier left the club this summer, and Tino Livramento has been absent throughout pre-season with a calf injury, leaving Newcastle without a recognised first-choice right-back ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

Benfica manager Marco Silva, who joined the Lisbon club from Fulham earlier this summer, was asked about the speculation surrounding Dedic after Thursday’s match. “I care very little about what’s going on behind the scenes, which is normal at this point in the transfer window,” he told Portuguese newspaper A Bola. “We want players and there are other clubs who want players. That’s part of the market and it has zero influence on my decisions.”

Newcastle have made five first-team signings this summer and open their Premier League season at home to Liverpool next Sunday.