Town winger Ulrich Le Pen is set to sign a two-year deal with current loan club Racing Club de Strasbourg. The Frenchman very much wants to avoid a return to Portman Road and has always been expected to stay in France.

Le Pen has been in talks with new Strasbourg manager Antoine Kombouaré and says he wants to remain at the Le Stade de la Meinau: "It's my big wish," he explained.

"I'm really happy in Alsace and I know that negotiations are progressing well between Ipswich and Racing."

Town will want a fee for the 29-year-old but they are unlikely to receive anything more than a few hundred thousand pounds from the cash-strapped French club.

Brittany side Guingamp have also shown an interest in Le Pen who joined Town for £1.4 million in November 2001, making just three sub appearances for the Blues.

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