Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid 'almost done' before coronavirus halted move

PSG striker is considered the most valuable footballer on the planet with a market value of between £180m and £200m

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  Kylian Mbappe celebrates with teammates during PSG's Cope de France semi-final win over Lyon. Reuters

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  Kylian Mbappe celebrates after an own goal by a Dijon player during the French Cup quarter finals. AFP

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  Kylian Mbappe speaks to PSG coach Thomas Tuchel. Reuters

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  Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring against Monaco. AFP

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  Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, left, and Neymar. AFP

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  Kylian Mbappe in action for PSG against Dijon. AFP

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  Kylian Mbappe celebrates during a Ligue 1 match between PSG and Monaco. EPA

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  Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring for PSG against Montpellier. EPA

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  Kylian Mbappe celebrates with the World Cup trophy. Reuters

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  Kylian Mbappe celebrates with the World Cup trophy. Reuters

A deal to take French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid was "almost done" before the coronavirus shutdown put the brakes on the move, according to a former Paris Saint-Germain player.

PSG striker Mbappe is considered the most valuable footballer on the planet by statisticians with a market value of between £180 million (Dh914m) and £200m.

The 21-year-old striker has proved an enormous success since joining the French giants, scoring 90 goals and creating 49 assists in just 120 games.

However, Mbappe has consistently been linked with a move to Real Madrid to work with French great Zinedine Zidane, and former PSG midfielder Jerome Rothen has claimed the striker was close to sealing a move to the Bernabeu.

"I know from club sources that a deal to take Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid was almost done," Rothen, who won two titles during his six years at PSG, told Radio Montecarlo.

"But with what has been happening, I'm sure that Mbappe's arrival at Real Madrid will be postponed."

Whether that move to Madrid occurs or not, former winger Rothen is convinced Mbappe will not sign an extension to his current PSG contract, which is set to expire in 2022.

"There is no way that Mbappe will extend his contract with PSG," Rothen said. "They will have an agreement between them in place because PSG agreed to let him go this summer. In my opinion, it's just a question of time."