McLeish has been promised funds of up to £40million to spend by the Blues board when the transfer window opens next month and he has been linked with numerous 'big-name players' of late.
However, McLeish has reiterated that he will not be signing players just because of their past reputations.
“If we go and spend huge wages on a player or a huge transfer fee, that will only be accepted if the player takes us to another level,” the Blues boss has said.
“That is the difficult part, to find that player out there.
"I think if Lionel Messi was coming, the players might just accept that one.
“It’s not easy to get A-list players in January. The exorbitant prices they’re asking for, in terms of transfer and wages, I’m not sure I want to be accountable for that.
“We want to maintain the spirit in the dressing room, I want to enhance the quality in case we have players injured or suspended.
‘‘That’s inevitable in a long, hard season."