For the first time in this saga I can now see some win-win outcomes. Before it was all screw over Messi by making him look money-grabbing or screw over Barca by him leaving on a free. Both sides want to resolve this, and neither side wants to be the villain.
But now, thanks to Messi's statement, there is the door open to him leaving for a fee. If agreeable, Messi gets the move he wants and has proven how much he cares for Barca by not taking them to court. Barca get to show they have fought for him, but secured a sizeable fee, freed up the wage bill, but also complied with the wishes of their greatest ever player, and both sides secure their respective legacies.
A decent offer from City would now offer an attractive resolution to both sides.