Friday 5 September 2014 11:18, UK
Wolfsburg general manager Klaus Allofs says they pulled out of the race to sign Romelu Lukaku due to the figures involved.
The Belgium international became available over the summer after slipping down the pecking order at Chelsea.
Loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Everton had allowed Lukaku to show that he is a capable Premier League marksman, but he was still allowed to move on by Jose Mourinho.
In the end, a return to Goodison Park on a permanent basis was secured, with Roberto Martinez seeing off interest from across Europe to get his man.
Wolfsburg had been among those mulling over an approach, but Allofs admits they were never going to compete once the asking price soared to £28million.
He told kicker-Sportmagazin: “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.
“I think our dealings during the transfer window have made people think a little differently about Wolfsburg.”
