It's been a non-stop summer for those at the Stadium of Light as the reality of the Premier League begins to dawn on Sunderland.
By the time Sunderland's opener comes around versus West Ham United, the complexion of Regis Le Bris' starting lineup could look very different from the playoff final success against Sheffield United, with both Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson already nowhere to be seen.
Moreover, there will no doubt be a lot of new faces vying for game-time after joining the newly promoted club, with Marcin Bulka perhaps taking over first-team goalkeeper duties from Anthony Patterson if he does join from OGC Nice.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday that the Black Cats have opened talks regarding a potential move for the Polish stopper, as they seek to win the race ahead of a long list of other suitors.
OGC Nice's Marcin Bulka and Youssouf Ndayishimiye celebrate after the match
He might not be the only defensive addition coming in this summer to bring extra competition, however, as Sunderland now find themselves locked in a race to sign a promising centre-back.
Sunderland in the race to sign £7m defender
As per a report by OnTheMinute, Sunderland remain in the race to land 21-year-old defender Saba Goglichidze.
The Empoli centre-back is attracting lots of interest despite his current employers' recent relegation from the Serie A, with the report adding that the Black Cats' fiercest rivals in Newcastle United are now keen on the Georgian as well, alongside fellow Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest.
It's even been speculated that the Tricky Trees are now ready to place a £7m bid for the 6-foot-4 colossus, with OnTheMinute stating that a bid around this region could be enough for Empoli to part ways with their main asset.
Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic in action with Empoli's Saba Goglichidze
Sunderland will hope they can gain an advantage in this race somehow, with Goglichidze's potential arrival - on top of Bulka walking through the door - undoubtedly strengthening Le Bris and Co. at the back ahead of their uphill Premier League climb.
How Goglichidze could shine with Bulka
After all, when taking in the clips above of Goglichidze's stay at Empoli, it's clear he isn't fazed by the bright lights of a top division.
Indeed, the up-and-coming 21-year-old has even had suitors from AC Milan and Juventus look at him, with his sparkling form in Italy seeing him pick up a solitary assist from his 33 league encounters last season, on top of also bravely battling away for his basement side with 3.9 duels won on average.
With four clean sheets in league action next to his name, too, it's clear that Goglichidze is destined for bigger and better things than slumping down to the Italian second division, and with Bulka behind in him the sticks, he could go on to look even more confident and assured knowing he has a top-drawer shot-stopper by his side.
Across his four seasons in between the sticks for Nice, the reliable Pole has managed to collect 30 clean sheets, with a hefty 18 of those coming just last campaign. To add context, Patterson would finish his own individual season with a lesser 14 next to his name, even from 45 games overall.
Sunderland's league numbers when they were last relegated (16/17)
Stat
Games played
Goals scored
Goals conceded
Goal difference
Sourced by Transfermarkt
That is still a respectable tally, but there will be a real worry in the air about the intense jump-up in quality, considering Southampton - who were the reigning playoff champions before Sunderland's big moment at Wembley - are just fresh off leaking a dire 86 strikes stuck at the bottom of the division, which is 17 more than the Black Cats gave up during their last relegation horror-show in the top-flight.
The Saints looking so porous could be sounding the alarm bells for Le Bris and Co. as we speak, with the Black Cats giving up a high 44 strikes last season themselves. Amazingly, both Leeds United and Burnley only gave up 46 goals combined.
Saba-Goglichidze
The arrival of fresh blood in the form of Saba Goglichidze and his potential new Polish teammate might be just what the newly promoted side needs, therefore, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig even going as far as to declare the 21-year-old a "wonderful" talent.
It will be a turbulent ride ahead for Sunderland, but if Le Bris can work his magic on this fresh defensive pairing, survival might be reached.
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The Black Cats are in the hunt for a new stopper.