Pep Guardiola handed positive scout report on £50M Benfica star for January transfer

Manchester City have intensified their search for a new right-back as Benfica’s Amar Dedic emerges as a closely monitored option, as per the latest developments.

City’s ongoing season has been marked by both continuity and recalibration. While Pep Guardiola’s side remain firmly embedded in the Premier League title conversation and competitive across all fronts, there has been a clear sense of transition in certain areas of the squad.

Nowhere has that been more evident than in defence, where subtle structural shifts have prompted careful evaluation rather than rushed solutions. The departure of Kyle Walker last summer has left a stylistic vacuum on the right side of City’s backline, though that loss has been more than mitigated by Matheus Nunes’ outstanding series of performances.

Walker’s blend of recovery pace, physicality and big-game experience was a cornerstone of Guardiola’s defensive balance, particularly in transition-heavy matches. Replacing that profile was never likely to be straightforward, and City have resisted the temptation to make a short-term appointment.

Internally, City have explored solutions already at the club. Rico Lewis has been entrusted on several occasions, offering technical security and positional intelligence, particularly when City invert their full-backs into midfield.

Lewis – despite being in his third full season in the first-team – remains a developing player and has yet to fully cement himself as the undisputed first-choice option in that slot. Meanwhile, Nunes’ deployment at right-back has been viewed as circumstantial rather than strategic.

Despite his athleticism and ball-carrying ability, there is a belief in some quarters that City continue to regard Nunes primarily as a central midfielder. That stance has reinforced the sense that the right-back position remains under active review rather than resolved.

Guardiola’s wider squad planning has also been influenced by the demands of competing on multiple fronts. City’s recruitment model increasingly prioritises versatility, tactical intelligence, and long-term suitability over immediate fixes.

Any incoming defender is expected to adapt seamlessly to positional rotations, aggressive pressing triggers, and high-line defensive structures. Against that backdrop, reports from Bosnia suggest Manchester City have taken a significant interest in Amar Dedic, currently with Benfica.

As reported by Sport1 and relayed by Sport Witness, City scouts have monitored the right-back closely over recent months and have already submitted multiple positive reports directly to Pep Guardiola. Those reports highlight Dedic’s attacking output as a key strength.

Scouts are said to be particularly impressed by his willingness to push forward during transitional moments, his pace over distance, and his confidence carrying the ball from deep areas into advanced positions. That blend of athleticism and technical comfort aligns closely with City’s requirements for the role.

Dedic’s tactical flexibility has also worked in his favour. Comfortable operating in systems that demand positional discipline without curbing attacking intent, he has shown an ability to interpret space intelligently, a non-negotiable trait in Guardiola’s defensive framework.

Since joining Benfica last summer, the Bosnia international has adapted swiftly to Portuguese football. He has become a reliable squad option, recently completing another full 90 minute performance, underlining both his physical readiness and growing trust within the team. His contract, which runs until 2030, places Benfica in a strong negotiating position.

Sport1 report that Manchester City are fully aware a deal would not come cheaply. Internal estimates place Dedic’s value between £43-51 million, a figure reflective of his long-term contract and rapid development. City had initially earmarked the situation for reassessment after the 2025-26 season but the possibility of a January move has not been entirely dismissed.

For now, City’s approach appears measured rather than reactive. Dedic represents a profile that fits both their tactical philosophy and long-term planning, but any move will be weighed carefully against timing, cost and squad balance as the window progresses.