I have the opposite interpretation.
Dortmund and City sort of faked the Haaland thing to ensure Utd didn't get Sancho on the cheap.
Haaland moves next year. Everything I know about football transfers, contracts, finance, and careers, says, baring a miracle, he moves next year to Real or Bayern.
Dortmund putting a price on him publicly was their last card in the deceit. Chelsea played along too, because they need Inter to believe they can't rely on Chelsea rolling up with 100m for Lukaku.
No harm then in making a complicated bid they valued at 160m. It made the headlines, looked very serious, but of course Dortmund couldn't accept it. The swaps were over valued, likely would have upset their wage structure or not been agreed to by the players.
Kane and Grealish to City. Forget Haaland. It was a big PR exercise for all concerned, including Erland and Mino. It will have achieved many things, at zero expense.
But really, it's very much the wrong time for him to move. Far too many clubs in too short a space of time. If he joined City or whoever and hit a rough patch, he could end up sidelined, miss out on vital development, possibly have to start over all again a couple of years later at another club. If he stays at BVB, none of that is a concern. They will pick him in the league AND CL, and stick with him come what may, just as they did when Sancho had a rough time this year. And he'll have his pick of Real, Bayern, and others, when the time comes.
Meanwhile Kane has almost no way back from the comments made in his interview, Spurs are without a manager, and need money.
End of.