Fulham swooped to land the former Chelsea man on the cheap from Aston Villa in January when Mike Ashley wouldn't cough up the money to sign him.
Pardew, who gave Sidwell his big break when he signed him for Reading as a youngster from Arsenal in 2003, is frustrated he missed the chance to snap him up for a second time.
Alan Pardew: “I would have looked to have brought Steve here. I think he has qualities that would be good here.
“I think Fulham were fortunate to get him on the deal they did – a fantastic bargain.
“He was absolutely brilliant for me at Reading and I think he can still have some big seasons ahead of him.’’