Marco Silva says Everton were met with some "unbelievable" asking prices for Premier League players this summer.
The Blues added seven players to their squad but Silva admits the transfer market was "more difficult" for the club than last year.
Silva set out with a wishlist that included finding a left-footed winger to operate on the right-hand side but Everton were unable to sign a player who met that profile.
Everton, still in need of adding a winger to the squad to replace Ademola Lookman, briefly turned their attention to Wilfried Zaha but saw a £52m bid turned down with Crystal Palace demanding £80m for the wide-man.
The Blues would then focus in on Arsenal's Alex Iwobi in the final week of the window and sealed his £28m move on deadline day.
Silva says even landing a fraction of your top targets represents success in any transfer market but especially this summer as sky-high price tags made life tough for Everton.
“We have some names but the market is really difficult," Silva said, when asked about trying to find a left-footed right winger.
“We had our targets for the summer and at the end of the market if you achieve 20% of those players it will be very good because the market is always changing.
“I can tell you, last season was fantastic for us. This season we have signed very good players but the market was more difficult.
“You look at the money some clubs are asking for players and the market is really difficult in England and to buy players inside is something unbelievable.”
