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The former Brentford boss was keen to add Brown's experience to Brighton's shaky backline that has conceded 43 times this season as the South Coast side have plummeted to the bottom of the league.
Coppell claims that Brown was keen to play for his side but the Seagulls couldn't meet the versatile defender's pay demands, culminating in his move to the more financially able Royals.
"We were in for Steve Brown and we were in competition with Reading. We made what was our best offer, but realistically it was not in touch with Reading's," explained Coppell, speaking to the Argus.
"He's a local boy, he wanted to play for Brighton, but the difference was significant enough for him to opt to play for Reading which is disappointing from our point of view."
Meanwhile, Brown will have to wait for his Royals debut a while longer as Alan Pardew doesn't consider him to be fit enough for first team football yet, after a year spent in Charlton's reserve side.
The Royals boss told the Reading Chronicle: "Steve's fitness levels are not up to the standards of my own players yet. That's no offence to Charlton, but he hasn't been playing that much and this isn't the right time to put in someone who isn't up to speed."
John Mackie and Adie Williams are expected to continue in the centre of defence for Reading's Boxing Day clash with Coventry City at Highfield Road.