TWTD understands that Corsican club Bastia are the second club interested in signing winger Ulrich Le Pen. The 29-year-old has spent this season on loan at Strasbourg who want to make the switch permanent.

Last week Town confirmed that another French club were showing interest in Le Pen, who has largely impressed this season. Bastia were keen to sign Le Pen on loan last summer prior to his switch to Strasbourg.

The loan agreement gave Strasbourg first refusal on Le Pen if they signed him before the end of April. However, the club has recently been in a state of flux with a takeover by local businessman Egon Gindorf completed in the last couple of weeks.

In addition manager Ivan Hasek has decided to leave and is set to be replaced by a former boss Gilber Gress.

They are said to be keen to keep Le Pen and other loanees but are likely to offer them very much reduced terms. Le Pen himself is desperate not to return to England and has said he wants to stay at Strasbourg.

Town would be happy to see Le Pen leave the club permenantly in the summer and are still hopeful of getting a fee for the former Lorient player.

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