Newcastle United are edging closer to completing the signing of Amar Dedic as they continue their search for a long-term successor to Kieran Trippier. The experienced England international departed St James’ Park at the end of last season to join Wolverhampton Wanderers, leaving the Magpies with a significant vacancy at right-back.
The club are now in negotiations with Benfica over a deal for Dedic, with the overall package potentially rising to around £30 million. Discussions between the two clubs are understood to be progressing, while Newcastle have already reached an agreement in principle with the Bosnian defender over personal terms.
Dedic is reportedly prepared to commit his future to the Magpies on a contract running until 2031, underlining the club’s belief that the 23-year-old could become an important part of their plans for years to come.
The proposed transfer would also reunite Dedic with Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle. The pair previously worked together at RB Salzburg, where Jaissle had the opportunity to see the full-back develop at close quarters. That existing relationship could prove valuable as the manager looks to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level domestically and in Europe.
Why Newcastle could have concerns over Dedic
Despite Dedic’s obvious qualities, there are questions surrounding whether he is the ideal defensive fit for the demands of the Premier League.
One of the biggest concerns is his aerial ability. At 23, the Bosnian is still developing physically, but his record in aerial duels suggests that he could potentially struggle against the physical style of English football.
Dedic has won fewer than 20 aerial duels in each of the last three seasons across his spells with Benfica, Marseille and Salzburg. His numbers in the Champions League last season were also not particularly impressive, with the defender ranking poorly compared with other right-backs in terms of aerial contests and defensive effectiveness.
That could be an issue for Newcastle, particularly given the importance of set pieces, crosses and long balls in the Premier League. Teams regularly target weaknesses in the air, and a right-back who struggles to consistently deal with aerial threats could leave the Magpies vulnerable in certain situations.
There is no doubt that Dedic brings plenty of attacking potential. He contributed four assists last season and is capable of progressing the ball, supporting attacks and creating opportunities from the right flank. His versatility and technical ability also make him an attractive option for Jaissle.
However, Newcastle will need to be convinced that his defensive weaknesses can be managed effectively before committing to such a substantial investment.
Newcastle also exploring Wilfried Singo
Interestingly, Newcastle’s interest in another right-back suggests the club may already be aware of the need for additional defensive strength.
According to Turkish-Football, the Magpies are considering a move for Galatasaray defender Wilfried Singo and are reportedly preparing an official proposal for the Ivorian international.
Singo, 25, joined Galatasaray from Monaco last summer for a fee believed to be around £26 million and has established himself as a physically imposing defender. The Turkish club would therefore be under little pressure to sell unless Newcastle are prepared to make an offer that reflects his importance to their squad.
The exact amount required to convince Galatasaray to part company with Singo has not been revealed, but Newcastle’s interest is significant because of the defender’s ability to operate in multiple positions.
While primarily capable of playing at right-back, Singo can also feature in central defence. That versatility could make him an especially useful addition for Jaissle, particularly across a long season involving the Premier League, domestic cups and European competition.
Singo could provide the physicality Newcastle need
One of Singo’s biggest advantages over Dedic is his experience as a central defender. That background has helped him develop into a physically strong right-back who is comfortable competing for aerial balls and defending against direct attacks.
His numbers in the Champions League last season were particularly encouraging. Singo ranked highly among his positional peers for winning defensive duels, highlighting his ability to handle the physical demands of elite-level football.
During the 2025/26 Turkish Super Lig campaign, Singo reportedly won 67 per cent of his ground duels and 60 per cent of his aerial duels, averaging around 1.5 aerial victories per match. Those figures underline his strength in one-on-one situations and his ability to challenge opponents in the air.
For Newcastle, that could be particularly valuable when facing teams that rely heavily on crosses, long passes and set pieces.
Dedic may offer greater attacking creativity, but Singo appears to provide a more naturally robust defensive profile. His ability to switch between right-back and centre-back would also give Jaissle greater tactical flexibility when dealing with injuries, suspensions or changes in formation.
Newcastle need defensive improvement
The Magpies have already invested heavily in reshaping their squad, but defensive consistency remains an important priority. Their recent 3-1 friendly defeat against Everton served as another reminder that there is still work to be done before the new campaign begins.
Bringing in Dedic would give Newcastle a talented and technically gifted option on the right, while a move for Singo could provide the additional physicality and defensive reliability required to strengthen the position.
Whether the club ultimately pursue both players remains to be seen, but the interest in Singo suggests Newcastle are not simply looking for a replacement for Trippier—they want greater depth and competition in the position.
Dedic could eventually become Jaissle’s preferred attacking-minded right-back, while Singo would offer a more defensive and physical alternative. Having both profiles available would give the Newcastle boss greater freedom to adapt his team depending on the opposition.
With the transfer window approaching its final stages, Newcastle’s decision could therefore prove crucial. Dedic appears close to becoming the club’s next major defensive addition, but if the Magpies can also secure Singo, they could significantly strengthen one of the areas of the squad that still requires attention.
For Jaissle, the objective will be clear: build a defence capable of matching Newcastle’s ambitions. And with Dedic potentially arriving alongside a player of Singo’s physical profile, the Magpies could be preparing a much stronger solution to the right-back problem than simply finding a replacement for Trippier.
