I think that scenario would be ideal . The build up to him signing & playing from the media will be epic . Might even get my old enthusiasm backNot based on the amounts he is owed or Barca's continued reluctance to pay a fee for Garcia.
I'd assume there might be a stage-managed announcement in Jan, revealing to the world he has signed a pre-contract agreement with us.
It ticks a variety of boxes on both sides.
Messi gets to explain his thinking and gets the proper long send-off he deserves from the fans.
City get six months to prepare the club for unprecedented demands for access and commercial deals.