Wolfsburg general manager Klaus Allofs has revealed that the club ended its interest in signing Romelu Lukaku during the summer because the striker would have cost too much.
The Belgium international joined Everton from Chelsea for £28m before the start of the Premier League season, having been on loan at Goodison Park the previous season.
Allofs told Kicker: "There have been quite a few temptations [during the recent window]. We could have done more, no doubt.
"In terms of Romelu Lukaku, we would have done more, we were ready to put out more money. But I am not prepared to do deals that are worth so much.
"I do not want that, that's not our transfer philosophy and there are rules and regulations. We have to keep an eye on the rules."
Lukaku scored 15 goals in 29 league appearances for Everton last season.