JOEY Beauchamp's proposed move from Oxford United to Division 2 big spenders Fulham is off.

The 27-year-old winger gave permission to his agent to have talks with officials of the Craven Cottage club after a fee for him had been agreed between the clubs.

That fee is believed to have been at least £1m, but sources say it may have been less and involved a player-plus-cash deal, the player being possibly Neil Smith or Steve Haywood, both midfielders.

But Beauchamp could not agree personal terms and Fulham said that they unwilling to improve the offer and so called off the deal.

United manager Malcolm Shotton reported: "The thing is dead as far as we're concerned.

"Joey left it to his agent to speak to Fulham and he had contact with them, but nothing's gone through and it's dead."

Fulham boss Kevin Keegan watched Beauchamp in United's 4-1 defeat at Swindon and assistant Arthur Cox spied on him again in the next match, when Beauchamp gave a lively display as the U's drew 3-3 with Ipswich.

A Fulham representative is understood to have been at Saturday's game against Tranmere at the Manor.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Oxford Mail, Fulham are keen to strengthen their squad to keep pace with the Division 2 leaders because of a spate of injuries to their forwards.

The London club, one of the wealthiest outside the Premiership thanks to injections of cash from owner Mohammed Al Fayed, have been hit with Paul Peschisolido and the former Oxford United centre forward Paul Moody out injured, while John Salako has a calf injury. Keegan signed prolific striker Geoff Horsfield for £300,000 from Halifax and has secured the services of Peter Beardsley on a further month's loan.

He saw Beauchamp, United's 19-goal top scorer last season, as someone to provide some quality deliveries for his strike-force.

It would have been intriguing to see how Moody might have linked up with Beauchamp again when he returned from injury.

Beauchamp was not available for comment today.

Speculation was increasing that financial pressures were behind United being prepared to sell their prize asset and with the move falling through, Derby County may now come in with a bid for Paul Powell.

Derby boss Jim Smith confirmed he was keeping strong tabs on the 20-year-old from Didcot, a player that his assistant Steve McClaren knows well from his time as Oxford United youth team coach.

Derby have just taken left wing back Tony Dorigo on a week's trial, but they see Powell as one for the future.

"Yes, we're having a look at him and we're keeping a watch on his progress," Smith said.

Shotton commented: "Derby have been watching our games regularly since I've been manager, but I would imagine they're watching Jamie Cook and Simon Marsh as well as Paul."

Shotton has denied that he is under any pressure to sell.

That suggests he is prepared to let his best players go if the price is right, in a bid to shake up the side and bring others in.

He said: "Our policy is the same as it's always been. If any club comes in with a big offer for one of our players we will inform the player concerned about it. We believe that's the right way to do things."

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