'100%' - Roberto De Zerbi makes clear Newcastle could be about to pull off an elite signing
Newcastle supporters should be encouraged by their pursuit of Amar Dedic due to how Roberto De Zerbi has praised him in the past.
Dedic has emerged onto the Magpies' radar this week as Matthias Jaissle looks to bolster his right-back ranks.
Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth have each left the club this summer, while Tino Livramento's recurring injury issues are cause for concern on Tyneside.
The Magpies are yet to add a new defender to their ranks, but Jaissle has made it clear that he plans to address the problem areas over the next few weeks.
Dedic played under the German boss at Red Bull Salzburg and currently plies his trade at Benfica after joining for £10million last summer.
He has already played in several countries at 23-years-old, and even crossed paths with current Tottenham manager De Zerbi.
Roberto De Zerbi praised several of Amar Dedic's attributes at Marseille
Dedic's rapid rise saw him win the Austrian Bundesliga with Salzburg in his first full season as a regular in 2023, as he was also named in the official Team of the Season.
The Bosnian international shone again in 2023-24 and soon made a loan move to Marseille in January 2025 to further his career in a better league.
He struggled for regular starts in a short stint with the French club, registering one assist in 10 Ligue 1 appearances and 309 minutes played.
De Zerbi was the OM boss at that point in time, and he was asked about how much of a positive impression Dedic had made at the club in late February.
Speaking to reporters, he said: "He’s a player with strong legs who can be decisive against deep defensive blocks. His speed, strength, and changes of pace are impressive…but he needs to adapt to our league and our country. He hasn’t trained with us much, but when he reaches 100%, he will be an important asset."
Former Juventus and Barcelona star Miralem Pjanic also gave quotes to the official Ligue 1 website about his old Bosnia teammate, saying: "He has a great personality and fits easily into a group. I have no doubt about his adaptation. For me, among the new generation in the national team, he’s one of the few with real potential to have a great career."
Dedic clearly has what it takes to be a key man for Newcastle after impressing at Benfica last term, especially considering what a current PL manager thinks about his qualities.
What has Jaissle said about signing new full-backs?
Defence is the priority for Jaissle after Football Insider revealed that Newcastle are keen on signing Giorgio Scalvini alongside De Zerbi's Spurs.
It seems as if they are accelerating plans to bring in a new right-back, with Jaissle hinting to reporters that they are keen to make moves in the market soon.
When asked if Newcastle need to sign a full-back as a priority at his unveiling on Tuesday, he said: "Yeah, we are totally aware in the club, internally, which positions we might need to strengthen the squad. We believe in the players we have now. There will be adjustments, but we still have time."