Gaffer Brown confirmed to the Evening Express that he spoke to Anderson last week.
But Brown insisted he wasn’t attempting to persuade Scotland international Anderson to return to his home town club, despite quotes to the contrary in the Daily Record.
Anderson, 32, joined Sunderland from Aberdeen for £1m in 2007 and now plays for Derby County - where he could be joined by fellow international Chris Maguire in the coming days.
The big central defender has frequently been linked with a return to the Dons, but has a year left on his contract and is thought to be determined to prove himself in England following a series of injuries.
Brown said: "I know Russell well and I called him to ask about certain players that he'd played with or against.
"We also spoke about how he was getting on at Derby, as you would expect.
"I would love to take him back but I know that won't happen right now.
"He is under contract with Derby and is enjoying his time there.
"It's annoying that this has turned into a failed bid to sign him, when it was nothing of the sort."