Amar Dedic Joins Newcastle United for £29.5m
Amar Dedic has turned his back on Benfica and the Lisbon sun for a reunion on Tyneside, completing a £29.5m move to Newcastle United after the call came from Matthias Jaissle.
The 24-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international becomes Newcastle’s sixth signing of a chaotic, reshaping summer and is expected to walk straight into the starting XI at right-back when Liverpool visit St James’ Park on Sunday.
“Working with Matthias again was a big factor for me,” Dedic said, reflecting on his decision to swap Portugal for the Premier League. The pair know each other well from their time together at RB Salzburg, and that familiarity has clearly carried weight. “We know each other well; he knows what I can bring to the pitch and I’m really happy to play for him again. It’s a special feeling and a real honour to join Newcastle.”
Newcastle have badly needed this.
With Tino Livramento still sidelined by a calf injury, the lack of senior cover on the right of defence has been exposed throughout pre-season. As soon as Jaissle replaced Eddie Howe earlier this month, he made it clear to the hierarchy that Dedic was his solution. The defender’s versatility only strengthened the case: he can operate on either flank and already understands the German’s aggressive, front-foot philosophy.
For Jaissle, it is a trusted lieutenant in a key area of the pitch. For Dedic, it is a manager who knows his strengths and weaknesses inside out, and a league that will test both.
Sunderland's Move
Across the Wear, Sunderland have made a statement of their own.
The club are poised to confirm the signing of Toulouse left-back Dayann Methalie on Tuesday after winning a three-way battle with Roma and Newcastle for his signature. The fee, £25.6m, underlines how highly the 20-year-old is rated across Europe.
Methalie, a France Under-21 international, made 28 Ligue 1 appearances last season and arrives to push Reinildo for a starting spot in Régis Le Bris’ side. He is not just a touchline-hugging full-back, either. Comfortable as a left-sided centre-half and at wing-back, he gives Sunderland’s head coach the kind of tactical flexibility modern squads are built on.
Two clubs. Two young full-backs. One region suddenly bristling with new energy down the flanks.
