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Club chief confirms 'departures' as Newcastle United deal agreed claim made Newcastle United transfers: Amar Dedic has been targeted by new head coach Matthias Jaissle. Less than 24-hours after Newcastle United played in Edinburgh, Amar Dedic’s Benfica side will be in action in the city. Newcastle lost 3-1 against Everton in a pre-season friendly at Murrayfield on Wednesday evening. And on Thursday, Benfica face Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle in a Europa League qualifier. The Portuguese side take a 6-1 aggregate lead into the second leg against the Scottish Premiership side. Dedic is yet to start a match for Benfica so far this season, coming on as a substitute twice. The right-back was part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s World Cup squad and has been targeted by Newcastle as they look to strengthen their full-back options. The 23-year-old is capable of playing on either side and previously worked with new Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle at Red Bull Salzburg. With Benfica playing in Edinburgh so shortly after Newcastle, it gives the clubs an opportunity to potentially strike a deal. Benfica value the defender at around £30million, but Newcastle would want to negotiate a lower fee. While not addressing Dedic’s situation specifically, Benfica president Rui Costa admitted there would be ‘some departures’ before the end of the month. “What I can say, looking at the market more broadly, is that Benfica’s squad won’t stay the same as it is now on August 31,” he told the Portuguese media. “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. "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. That’s what we’re working toward, and that’s the assurance I’m going to give to Benfica’s members." Dedic’s limited involvement in Benfica’s competitive games so far could be a sign of where his future lies. While reports in Portugal have suggested Dedic has agreed to join Newcastle. Transfer narrative expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that personal terms have been agreed with the 23-year-old. NewcastleWorld asked Jaissle to comment on the pursuit of Dedic, but the Newcastle head coach smiled before politely declining to comment.