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Newcastle United had officials in Scotland on Thursday as their chase for Benfica’s Amar Dedic continues. The Magpies have reportedly reached an agreement with the right-back over a potential move, according to reports from Bosnia this week. Friday’s print edition of O Jogo reports Newcastle representatives attended Benfica’s 1-1 draw with Hearts in the Europa League qualifiers. They were paying particularly close attention to Dedic. Newcastle United officials watch Dedic against Hearts Amar Dedic started the second leg in Edinburgh and played the full match as Benfica progressed. The Portuguese side had won the first leg 6-1, meaning Thursday’s draw comfortably secured their place in the next round. O Jogo awarded Dedic a 7 out of 10 for his performance. The newspaper highlights his attacking contribution and says he produced a good cross for Georgiy Sudakov in the first half. Dedic also hit the post with a header following a save from Hearts goalkeeper Robin Reus. More significantly for the transfer story, Newcastle United officials were “very attentive” to the right-back’s display. Their presence comes at an interesting stage of the negotiations. As we know, Benfica have been asking for €35m (£30.3m), while the Magpies have been trying to get a deal done for less. Marco Silva responds to Newcastle reports Amar Dedic’s situation was put directly to Marco Silva after Thursday’s match. A Bola asked the Benfica manager about reports the defender had reached an agreement with Newcastle. “You have information, you’re better informed than I am! That’s normal, right? It’s part of your job,” Silva replied. “I’m not going to comment on what comes out in the media. I made the decision I thought was best for Benfica and it will always be that way. “Benfica’s interests will always be above everything else while I’m sitting in this chair and I’m Benfica manager, without a doubt.” Silva was then asked whether playing Dedic ensured he remained in the spotlight at a time when he could leave the club. The manager made clear the transfer situation had no impact on his team selection. “The market has zero influence on my decisions,” he said. “If at some point I’m told that player A, B or C is no longer a Benfica player, that’s one thing. Until I’m told that, as far as I’m concerned, the market doesn’t control my decisions.” On Dedic specifically, Silva added: “I care very little about what’s going on behind the scenes, which is normal at this point in the transfer window. “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.” So, while talks continue away from the pitch, Benfica aren’t putting Dedic to one side. Newcastle United have now seen that for themselves. Their representatives watched him play 90 minutes in Scotland while the clubs work on finding an agreement for his transfer.