Newcastle United's pursuit of a new right-back has received a potential boost after Benfica president Rui Costa admitted the Portuguese club expects player departures before the transfer window closes.
The Magpies opened talks to sign Bosnia and Herzegovina international Amar Dedic earlier this week, with the 23-year-old one of several options being monitored for full-back cover. At present, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are the only senior full-back options, and teenager Leo Shahar has started both of Matthias Jaissle's two games in charge at right-back.
Benfica president's transfer admission
Speaking ahead of Benfica's Europa League qualifier against Hearts in Edinburgh, Costa said the squad will not remain as it is on August 31. "There will be some departures, there will be some new signings, and we're working on that in the same way we're working on the centre back situation — which is to choose wisely, not quickly," he told Portuguese press.
Costa added: "Some negotiations are taking a little longer than we'd like, but that's just part of this phase of the transfer window. The important thing is that, on August 31, when the transfer window closes, we know that we've built a squad that can compete in all the tournaments we're in."
Dedic's situation at Benfica
Dedic has featured in just two of Benfica's four games this season, coming on as a substitute in a Europa League win over St Gallen and a 2-2 league draw with Academico de Viseu. Benfica have preferred Danish international Alexander Bah at right-back, suggesting they expect Dedic to depart this summer.
A further hint of his future could come this evening with his involvement in the Hearts qualifier at Tynecastle. Newcastle were in Edinburgh yesterday, losing 3-1 to Everton at Murrayfield Stadium, and with Benfica officials in the Scottish capital, talks could accelerate if the Magpies decide Dedic is their preferred target.
