Newcastle United have wrapped up six senior signings this summer but are still actively pursuing further recruits.
The Tyneside club confirmed their sixth first-team acquisition early Tuesday with the signing of Benfica right-back Amar Dedic, and additional moves are expected before the new campaign begins.
Eddie Howe’s side are optimistic about landing at least one more addition ahead of Sunday’s Premier League curtain-raiser against Liverpool, with an experienced central-midfield player top of their priorities.
A new attacking option also remains on the agenda, specifically in the number 10 position where the squad currently lacks a specialist. Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa and Joe Willock have all featured there during pre-season, though Willock is anticipated to depart the club in the coming weeks.
A fresh wide player could also arrive should Jacob Murphy move on, with the 31-year-old now in the final 11 months of his St James’ Park deal.
Sporting director Ross Wilson is driving the hunt for any further signings this summer and while he and his recruitment department will take charge of negotiations, he has indicated head coach Matthias Jaissle will have input when responding to Dedic’s arrival.
Wilson expressed his pleasure at bringing Dedic to the club. He noted that Jaissle has close knowledge of the player and that the entire organisation holds him in high regard, viewing him as someone capable of strengthening the squad immediately and playing on either flank. Wilson pointed to Dedic’s performances at Red Bull Salzburg and Benfica as evidence of his quality as a contemporary full-back with the ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch, and mentioned his strong desire to establish himself at Newcastle and in the Premier League.
Dedic should adapt quickly to Jaissle’s methods given their previous work together at RB Salzburg, and those remarks made recent speculation in Germany linking the club to RB Leipzig midfielder Nicolas Seiwald – another player who worked under Jaissle in Austria – particularly noteworthy.