Belgian defender Thomas Meunier, currently at Sunderland and formerly of Lille, has voiced strong criticism of the skyrocketing fees in football transfers. His comments came after Moroccan midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi completed a €100 million move to Manchester City. Meunier argued that transfer values no longer serve as a logical measure of a player’s ability.
Meunier Praises Bouaddi but Questions the Price Tag
Meunier played alongside Bouaddi at Lille during the 2024-2025 season and knows the young Moroccan’s potential well. While he did not hesitate to praise Bouaddi’s talent, he refused to link that talent to the massive sum Manchester City paid to secure his services.
Speaking to Foot Mercato, Meunier said: “Ayoub is an amazing player, but we no longer need to talk about money, because there is no logic left in the transfer market.”
The 35-year-old Belgian added: “You can buy a donkey for £200 million, and buy a very good player for £20 million. It no longer makes any sense.”
Bouaddi’s Rise: From Lille to Manchester City
Despite his criticism of the transfer market, Meunier insisted that Bouaddi deserves recognition. The young player has shown remarkable development since breaking into Lille’s first team.
Bouaddi made 96 appearances for the French club before raising his profile further with Morocco at the 2026 World Cup. He started in five of Morocco’s six matches in the tournament.
His performances attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich. Manchester City ultimately won the race for his signature.
Bouaddi joined the English club for €100 million, a record sale for Lille. The transfer fee stands as a clear example of the sharp rise in player prices, something Meunier has strongly criticized.