JOEY Beauchamp has turned down a move to Manchester City - the second Division 2 club he has rejected in less than a fortnight.

The 28-year-old winger, who said no to Fulham after having talks with Craven Cottage officials last month, said he wasn't interested in moving north.

Manchester City's approach came last week, before John Gunn's decision to withdraw from the consortium buying Oxford United.

United manager Malcolm Shotton said: "Joe Royle rang Oxford United last week because City wanted to speak to Joey, but he wasn't interested in going north.

"I think his agent spoke to Joe but the player wasn't keen."

I understand that the Maine Road outfit would have matched the fee that was agreed between Oxford and Fulham, which was reckoned to be something between £1m and £1.7m.

Beauchamp, United's 19-goal top scorer last season, has nearly two years left on his contract and has many times stated he is happy to remain at Oxford, unless a Premiership club comes in for him.

United could have done with the money for their most saleable asset, but they can't force him to go anywhere.

Meanwhile, Shotton has been keeping tabs on Stoke City defender Steven Tweed and might have made a move for him had the takeover gone through.

"He's a big, strong lad and I know him well. But Stoke turned down £75-100,000 for him, so he's way beyond what we can afford."

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