Newcastle go into the Premier League opener against Liverpool on August 23 without a fit senior right-back, which is why Amar Dedić has moved to the front of the queue. Tino Livramento remains sidelined after a minor calf operation in June, and Newcastle have already lost Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth and Matt Targett from their full-back group. The timing is awkward, but the need is obvious.

Newcastle's full-back shortage

The problem is not just Livramento's absence. Newcastle have had to patch the role with other players, and Lewis Hall logged 95 minutes in their most recent league match, which shows how thin the squad has become on the flanks. Livramento's most recent league outing was 74 minutes, but the club still do not have him back in contention for the Liverpool game.

Matthias Jaissle has also kept the door open from the Newcastle side. Speaking to Football365, he said: "Like I said in my first statement, there will be adjustments in the squad. We still have time."

Benfica's stance keeps the move alive

Benfica are not acting like a club shutting discussions down. Rui Costa told chroniclelive.co.uk: "Benfica's squad won't stay the same as it is now 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."

That leaves room for a Dedić exit before the window closes. He has featured in just 2 of Benfica's 4 games this season, and the broader picture around his role has not been strong. The stats pack shows 3 Benfica appearances in 2026, which lines up with the sense that he has not been central to their start.

The price is still the messy part. Reports have put Dedić at €30 million, while other outlets have cited a €35 million valuation and a €50 million release clause. Newcastle do not need a perfect market deal here, they need a right-back before Liverpool on August 23, and that makes Dedić a live target right now.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →