Sunderland fans will still be in disbelief about their beloved side's opening day heroics in the Premier League.
No nerves were present whatsoever in the Black Cats' clinical display as Graham Potter's downtrodden West Ham United were humbled 3-0 by the rampant hosts, gifting Regis Le Bris and Co. a dream start.
Already, the likes of Eliezer Mayenda, Daniel Ballard, and Wilson Isidor have cemented themselves further into fan favourite territory as the promoted trio all got in on the goalscoring act on Saturday.
Yet, despite a fair few of Sunderland's promoted heroes making the step-up look like a breeze on the opening day, the transfer business through the door is showing no signs of slowing down.
Sunderland
Sunderland in talks with £9m defender
Of course, straight after the dust had settled on the mightily impressive 3-0 triumph, Sunderland were confirming signing number 12 of a bumper summer.
Nordi Mukiele has now officially joined Le Bris' camp from Paris St. Germain for a fee around the £12m mark, pushing up all of the Black Cats' summer activity to a total spend of £141.5m.
He will be raring to go in his new red and white strip, even more so after Sunderland stormed out of the blocks in style. However, he isn't the only defensive addition being eyed up with a bid reportedly submitted for Jhon Lucumi.
Despite that, as per reports by TEAMtalk, Sunderland have also been in talks to sign FC Copenhagen centre-back Gabriel Pereira, but are not alone in their advances.
Copenhagen centre-back Gabriel Pereira
Indeed, it is further revealed that Burnley are also in discussions over a deal, in addition to interest from further afield in Germany from FC Köln.
It will cost the Black Cats in the region of £9m to land the imposing Brazilian, with the report stating that he is content to stick it out in Denmark, despite all this frenzied interest.
How Pereira could become Le Bris' next Ballard
The draw of the Premier League might well prove to be too tempting for Pereira, who would be hopeful he could become Le Bris' next version of Ballard if he were to swap Scandinavia for the Stadium of Light.
While Mayenda and Isidor would stylishly go about their business against Potter's men, it was Ballard who would steal the show with his dominant display all afternoon.
Away from his towering header giving the Black Cats a comfortable two-goal cushion, the former Arsenal youngster would win a commanding ten duels in total, on top of also only misdirecting just four of his 25 passes on the tense occasion.
Pereira has chipped in with a header here and there for Copenhagen, too, with Chelsea well aware of his prowess in the air when he headed home this consolation effort versus the Blues in the Conference League last season.
It's not just reserved for European nights, either, with the 25-year-old picking up four goals in total across the entirety of last campaign. To add context, Ballard would just come up short in this department by powering home one fewer header than his potential soon-to-be teammate.
Ballard vs Pereira in 24/25
Stat (* = per game)
Games played
Goals scored
Assists
Touches*
Accurate passes*
Ball recoveries*
Clearances*
Total duels won*
Clean sheets
Stats by Sofascore
The similarities don't just grind to a halt here, though, with the £9m-rated defender also eerily alike to his English counterpart in other areas of their respective games, notably when it comes to looking assured and confident with the ball at their feet, having both averaged the same pass completion percentage at 88% last season in league action.
Yet, much like Ballard, Pereira is also prepared to put his body on the line for the cause, having been lauded for his "strong" ability to win duels and "take charge" of situations by Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup when signing for the Superliga champions just last year.
Gabriel-Pereira
The hope will be now that Pereira can take to the Premier League in the same warrior-like fashion Ballard managed against West Ham, with the feel-good vibes ramped up even more at the Stadium of Light if signing number 13 is soon to be announced.