The Wanderers manager admitted that he would have liked to have signed the Belgian international but in the end both club and player differed over what was the right financial package and in the end no deal could be struck.
"We had a chance to bring in Phillippe Leonard but we couldn't put a deal together. That's a great shame because it looked like he could of done us a job, the financial package was beyond us and unfortunately we had to pull out" Allardyce explained to the clubs official site
Allardyce hinted that he may be tempted to go back in for the player during the January transfer window but by which time he should have his full defensive quota back in training and he took a swipe at the clubs money men saying that the lack of finances could cost the team dearly on the pitch.
"We may look at resurrecting a deal in January but by then we should have our first choice defense back in training"
"We where unable to bring in a player to strengthen the squad because of financial constraints. Ultimately we may pay the price if we cannot strengthen in key areas. With Laville out and Thome now missing we are stretched to our limits" he added