NEWCASTLE SIGN DEDIC FROM BENFICA FOR £29.5M

Newcastle United have completed the signing of right-back Amar Dedic from Benfica for £29.5m on a five-year contract. The 24-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international becomes Newcastle's sixth signing of the summer. Dedic is expected to start in the club's match against Liverpool on Sunday, with Tino Livramento currently recovering from a calf injury.

The transfer was facilitated by Newcastle's new manager Matthias Jaissle, who previously worked with Dedic at RB Salzburg. Jaissle advised club executives that Dedic could address Newcastle's shortage of senior right-backs following his recent appointment as manager. Dedic stated that the opportunity to reunite with Jaissle was a significant factor in his decision to join the club. The defender is also comfortable operating at left-back, which aligns with Jaissle's tactical approach.

In related transfer activity, Sunderland have agreed to sign left-back Dayann Methalie from Toulouse for £25.6m on a five-year deal, to be announced on Tuesday. The 20-year-old France Under-21 international made 28 Ligue One appearances last season and will compete with Reinildo for a starting position at the Stadium of Light. Methalie is also capable of playing as a left-sided central defender or at wing-back.