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Newcastle are closing in on signing right-back Amar Dedic from Benfica as they look to shore up their defence ahead of the start of the new Premier League season. Dedic, capped 31 times by Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been earmarked as a replacement for Kieran Trippier, who left St James' Park following the expiry of his contract at the end of the last campaign. The Press Association understands talks between the clubs are progressing, with Sky Sports reporting Dedic is expected to undergo a medical on Tyneside on Monday after a £29.5 million ($40m) fee was agreed. If the deal is completed, Dedic would be in line to make his debut in Newcastle's top-flight opener against Liverpool Aug. 23 as Tino Livramento is still sidelined with a calf injury sustained on England duty in June. Dedic has worked under new Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle at Red Bull Salzburg and played his part in the club's Austrian Bundesliga triumph three years ago. He spent two years at Austrian club Liefering before joining Wolfsberger and Marseille for brief loan stints and transferred to Benfica in 2025. - Premier League, EFL summer transfer window 2026 dates: When is Deadline Day? - Premier League 2026 summer transfers: All confirmed ins, outs for every club - The 20 players and coaches who will define the 2026-27 Premier League The 23-year-old was in action north of the border on Thursday night, playing the full match in Benfica's 1-1 draw at Hearts which wrapped up a 7-2 aggregate win in Europa League qualifying. Dedic started three of his nation's four matches at the 2026 World Cup. Information from Press Association contributed to this report.