I think the next step will be us putting a bid in for him....I think this is the way that it was always going to pan out as the likelyhood of the Barca president acting properly was extremely low.
If we put a bid in for him there will be presure to sell him knowing he will walk for free next summer. Barca are in debt - they need money to bring players in. They also want Garcia from us (his value is a pittance when compared to Messi but he is a player they covert) and we may see him as part of the bid.
Pressure from other board members
pressure from a section of the fan base - Messi has told them they are better off without him and that the team needs rebuilding without him - this is a message directly to them with the caveat that its the team that matters not him - he has won the battle of hearts and minds with that one statement.
Pressure from other board members and share holders (again the fans in Barca's case)
Pressure from the media
Of course the Bart may hold out and refuse