"We would have liked to have taken him. At the time Shaun hadn’t been sold and there was no money available at the club," he told the City website.
Crouch eventually joined Liverpool for £7m, and having yet to score in 16 appearances, you might think Pearce was glad he didn't get his man - but you'd be wrong.
"A lot of people are looking at Crouchy at the moment and suggesting it’s not happened for him yet. But I thought he was by far the best player on the pitch in midweek and I think he’s doing everything right apart from having that little bit of luck in front of goal," Pearce added.
"He's got a strength that very few people have – he's 6 foot 7! Just by his awkwardness he causes a problem, but couple that with the fact he's got very tidy feet for a big chap and that’s the one thing that caught my eye.
"From what I know of him I quite like him, I think he doesn’t hide, he keeps knocking away at what he’s trying to achieve. But come Saturday I’ll dislike him immensely."