£42.7m move could impact Man United as Newcastle push forward with first Matthias Jaissle signing
Manchester United may well be handed a significant transfer boost after reports emerged claiming Newcastle are working on a deal for a first signing under new boss Matthias Jaissle.
Jaissle replaced Eddie Howe after he announced his shock resignation and is desperately looking to strengthen a Newcastle squad which has lost a number of star players in deals totalling £250 million.
Anthony Gordon has signed for Barcelona, while Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali have stayed in the Premier League with Arsenal and Spurs respectively.
Newcastle made five first-team signings prior to Jaissle's arrival, most notably the £43 million addition of Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim.
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But according to The Athletic, the Magpies are moving to bring in Benfica defender Amar Dedic.
Dedic, 23, worked with Jaissle at both FC Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg and is believed to have a £42.7 million release clause in his contract.
However, it is hoped that Newcastle could get the player for a lower fee - with Benfica said to be looking for around €35 million.
Dedic is predominantly right-back but he can also play on both sides of the backline, with his versatility a key reason behind Newcastle's interest.
The move concerns United as they are keen on Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall, who was unfortunate to miss out on the England World Cup squad after his strong season in the North East.
The 21-year-old signed for Newcastle from Chelsea in a £28 million switch but is now reportedly valued at around £60 million by Newcastle.
Because he has three years on his deal, Newcastle do not need to sell Hall and are thererfore in a better negotiating position than with other players.
United see Hall, who can also play in central midfield, as the perfect long-term replacement for long-time left-back Luke Shaw.
Samuel Luckhurst of The Sun says that Hall is United's absolute priority and does want the move - though it remains to be seen if he is willing to force the transfer as Alexander Isak did in order to join Liverpool last summer.
United have been offered Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly as an alternative and other options include Club Brugge's Joaquin Seys, Jorge Salinas of Racing Santander and RB Leipzig's David Raum.
But Hall remains their top target after deals for both Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans were wrapped up.
Newcastle are pressing forward for Dedic after Tino Livramento had calf surgery which ruled him out of the World Cup.
He missed large spells of last season and right-backs Kieran Trippier and Emil Kraft have both moved on.
Talented midfielder Lewis Miley deputised on occasion last term but is recovering from a broken leg.
With no senior right-backs fit, Dedic is likely to go straight into the starting eleven for the opening Premier League fixture with Liverpool on 23 August if he puts pen to paper.
Topics: Man Utd, Premier League
Josh Lawless