Madrid were going to buy Mbappe in the summer with a package that was off the charts. If they want to buy any player, they can find the money. Barca are in trouble, all relative of course, but somehow Real keep finding the cash.I've read that his "destination clubs" when starting his career were Barca, Real and United.
Every club before then is basically a stepping stone for 3/4 years to learn and develop. They chose City to develop under one of the best managers ever on top of obvious CL chances etc
With how things have changed in the last 3 years or so in the footballing finance world, if pep stays at city I think Haaland will too. Spanish teams just don't seem to be able to compete at the moment.