Albion are preparing to kick-off Premier League life against Manchester City.

Which perhaps makes it fitting they complete their summer travels against a club who, bit by bit, are becoming part of the City family.

The Seagulls play Spanish top-flight new boys Girona in Palamos on Tuesday, August 1.

That fixture is followed by the home date against Atletico Madrid – and then the big one with City.

It appears Pep Guardiola will not have to work too hard to gain some insight on Chris Hughton’s men should he require it from the fixture on the Costa Brava.

Pep’s brother Pere is involved with Girona in an advisory capacity.

And increasingly strong links between the clubs lead some observers in Girona to suspect they are on course to become a “City franchise”.

Girona went up last season to join the first division for the first time in their history.

They did so as runners-up, giving them something in common with Albion.

Though, while they were comfortably clear of third spot, unlike the Seagulls they were always a long way adrift of the champions – in this case, Levante.

However, their links with City are a lot stronger and will see them train in Manchester this summer for the second successive pre-season.

Pere Guardiola is known to Albion as he represented Oscar Garcia when the Catalan became head coach at the Amex four years ago.

Marc Brugues, who covers the club for local newspaper Diari de Girona, says the ties between the clubs are becoming stronger.

He said: “The relationship with City is officially one of ‘great collaboration’ but there is talk that they could become shareholders of the club and Girona would become a City franchise.

“In recent years, several players have come on loan like Sobrino, Lejeune, Mari and Maffeo.

“Pere Guardiola’s connection makes the link-up easier.

“Last year Girona did pre-season at City’s training facility and they will do the same this year.”

As for Pep Guardiola, he recently told Radio Catalonia that City and Girona “are friends” and added: “I know (City chief executive) Ferran Soriano is very excited about all the help we can give but I don’t know how we will do that.”

Away from the City connections, the friendly gives Albion the chance to play against a tactical formation which is becoming increasingly fashionable in the Premier League.

It also offers a possible reunion with their former striker Fran Sandaza, a cult hero among Girona fans who may or may not still be around by the start of August.

Girona set up with three centre-backs, be it in a 3-5-2 or 5-3-2. Ahead of that trio they have a very solid holding midfielder in Pere Pons and, out wide, two athletic wing-backs.

Ex-Seagulls midfielder David Lopez, who played against Girona for Huesca this season, told The Argus: “They play that three-at-the-back system well. They are a very serious outfit.”

Although there will clearly be transfer activity in the next five weeks or so, Albion will probably get a chance to test their set-up against a dangerous No.10 in the rapid Portu.

The Argus:

Fran Sandaza is a cult hero at Girona

And then there is the challenge of Sandaza, a centre-forward who Albion fans from the Withdean era will remember.

The big man from Toledo was something of a supersub in the League One title-winning campaign of 2010-11, scoring some important goals including the added-time winner at home to Oldham which put his side top of the table for the last time.

Two years ago he led Girona to the brink of promotion before they conceded a stoppage-time goal at home to David Lopez’s Lugo, costing them second place.

A pitch invasion comically led to the last 40 seconds of that game being played in front of a near-empty stadium about half an hour later after fans were told the match was over as a means of getting them to leave the playing area and go home.

Lugo’s coach was in the middle of his press conference when he was told the game had not finished and there were a few seconds left to play.

Sandaza, clearly heartbroken and angry at seeing his dream die, vented his anger in a post-match television interview in which he accused Lugo, his previous club, of trying too hard when they had no need to.

He then helped Girona win 3-0 at Zaragoza in the first leg of their play-off semi-final.

But Girona rested key players including Sandaza for the return leg, planning for the final, and lost 4-1 at home to go out on away goals.

Sandaza signed for Tokyo but returned last summer on a two-year deal.

Brugues said: “Sandaza is an idol among the fans for his commitment and his battling spirit. He wasn’t as key to the team last season as two years previously and has been troubled by injury but he still scored nine goals, which is pretty good.”

While Sandaza remains under contract, he has been told by the club his playing opportunities in the Liga Santander could be severely limited.

That basically leaves him fighting for a place in the first division – which still could be the case on that Tuesday evening in Palamos.

It all helps provide Albion with a tough test, which is exactly what they want. City will be watching closely.