Chelsea are keen to beat Newcastle United to the signing of Amar Dedic
According to The Sun, Premier League giants Chelsea are keen to beat Newcastle United in the race to land Amar Dedic.
The 21-year-old has been a standout performer for RB Salzburg. The Bosnian has been with the Austrian giants since 2015 and has progressed through the ranks to make himself a regular at Salzburg.
He has so far made 64 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring eight goals and assisting seven more. Primarily a right-back, he can also double up on the other flank while even stepping up as a centre-back when needed.
The Blues signed Malo Gusto but the Frenchman’s arrival has also coincided with Reece James’ injury struggles. The Chelsea skipper is a generational player but his fitness issues call into question his longevity at the top level. He is now down to have surgery and will be out of action until April 2024.
Dedic certainly has the potential to develop into one of the finest right-backs in the world and by acting fast, Chelsea can land themselves a top talent should a decision be forced upon them regarding James.
The same can be said of Newcastle who are in the market for a versatile full-back. Kieran Trippier is not getting any younger while Lewis Hall could yet return to Chelsea once his loan spell is done. Dedic certainly offers the Tynesiders a readymade solution to their woes.
More so, the Bosnian has the same agent as Magpies ace Joelinton, giving Newcastle an advantage should it come to negotiations. Salzburg rejected an offer of £21.5 million from AS Roma for the 21-year-old but find themselves in a difficult position given the increasing interest in Dedic.
The defender’s contract with Salzburg runs until 2027 and it remains to be seen how much the Austrians ask for his services. Several players have come through the system at Salzburg before moving to RB Leipzig to hone their talents. Whether that is an option that will be on the table come summer 2024 remains to be seen.
