The club have been linked with a number of high profile players in the summer, such as Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, but the Hammers boss says: "There is no point bringing in players that have had a big name in the past, people assume they can still do it the way they did two or three years ago.
"Then when you get them in you find that they are loaded up with injuries, they haven't got the motivation any more, and they are just here for a pay day.
"I wouldn't want to go down that road; it wouldn't do us any good and it would be unfair to our supporters."
Last season Davor Suker arrived from Arsenal with an impressive CV, but was unable to sustain his reputation at Upton Park.
"We don't want it happening again," says Glenn. "I would rather bring a player in who is hungry, motivated, and wants to wear the shirt - and put sweat on it.
"There are a lot of ordinary players out there looking for clubs, and a lot of players past their sell by date."
Glenn will again be looking this weekend, hoping for more luck than his last scouting trip abroad.
"I went to Sweden early on Saturday morning and returned late at night, and I have to say the standard was not particularly good.
"Consequently the one or two players I was looking at didn't play particularly well, so it was a fruitless trip, but one that had to be made.
"A couple of targets had been pointed out for us so I went to see what they were like."
Despite the frustrations the transfer market is causing him at the moment, he insists he is still enjoying every minute of being in the hot seat.
"If you can't enjoy this job you can't enjoy any job.
"As I said to Terry Venables a couple of weeks ago - and not meaning to drop names, but I played for him for three years and I still speak to Terry - people chase jobs all their lives and never seem to grab one.
"In this case I've stood still, with my hands by my side, and it is up to me to take the opportunity now.
"Terry said that is a good point, people do go from one interview to another, chasing here and chasing there, and never get a job. I've been given this opportunity literally by holding the fort.
"Though it does mean I spend a few minutes with my kids now rather than a few hours.
"And I don't tend to listen to the radio too much or have time to watch television, because I'm too busy doing other things.
"It's enjoyable though and I wouldn't have it any other way."
The next first team game is at Stevenage on Monday and, while Joe Cole is expected to return, Svetoslav Todorov and Scott Minto are both still doubtful.
"Joe will be OK for Monday, while Scott Minto unfortunately has a thigh strain," says Glenn. "Svetoslav Todorov has had six stitches in quite a nasty cut in his leg.
"When he got brought down for the penalty last week which he got up and took himself, he suddenly realised his sock was filling up quite quickly with blood.
"When we rolled it down we saw it was quite a deep wound - but hopefully he will be back for Monday."