Meunier criticises crazy transfer prices after Bouaddi's deal with Manchester City

Thomas Meunier has criticized the excessive rise in player prices in the transfer market, stating that the figures being discussed no longer make sense, following the transfer of young Moroccan Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille to Manchester City.

Ayyoub Bouaddi has left Lille during the current summer transfer window to join the English club in a deal worth €100 million, according to the president of the French team, making the Moroccan player one of the standout signings of the summer transfer market.

Despite praising Ayyoub Bouaddi's technical abilities, Monier expressed surprise at the financial value of the deal during an interview with British newspaper 'The Athletic'.

The Belgian player said: "Ayyoub Bouaddi is an amazing player, but honestly, we don't need to talk about money, because there is no logic in it."

He added, criticizing the current way player prices are determined: "You can buy a donkey for £200 million, and buy an excellent player for only £20 million. It no longer makes any sense."

Thomas Meunier played alongside Ayyoub Bouaddi at Lille before leaving the French club this summer, while the Moroccan player moved to Manchester City after impressing with his former team and making a notable appearance with the Moroccan national team during the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Ayyoub Bouaddi is 18 years old and is considered one of the rising talents in European football, having established himself at Lille from a young age before starting a new experience in the Premier League with Manchester City.