West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce says they were never seriously in for Rio Ferdinand over the summer.
The veteran eventually joined QPR after leaving Manchester United.
"Signing Rio in the summer wasn't a priority for me at the time," said Allardyce. "I wouldn't be too bothered about his other commitments if it meant I got him cheap enough, if he fitted into the budget pretty well.
"There would be no less focus for what Rio does off the field on the field. He is a proud man, he is a brilliant professional and has been a brilliant professional and the last thing he would want to do is to let himself or Harry down.
"I don't see that as a particular problem and I am sure letting him do that work made the budget a lot easier to achieve."
