Crystal Palace pulled out of the bidding for Mathieu Manset as the price got too expensive.
Speaking to the News Shopper boss Dougie Freedman said: "We watched the kid from Hereford for a number of weeks. It was the right deal for us but in the end we felt it got too dear and pulled out."
Manset played half an hour of Reading's draw with Hull, with many Royals fans remarking on the forums over the weekend on his apparent lack of fitness.
Meanwhile, claimed Bulls target Exodus Geoghaghon has joined Port Vale on loan for the remainder of the season. Peterboro salesman Barry Fry claimed the Bulls were one of a number of clubs chasing the ex-Kettering man.