I’m surprised by people getting excited at the reports that the release clause isn’t active because having the release clause or not having it has absolutely no relevance to whether we get him.
The key issues are whether he is or is not contracted to Barca and, if under contract, at what price Barca will sell him.
All the €700M clause ever provided was a level of offer above which Messi could leave, if he wanted, but Barca could always have accepted a lower offer.
If there’s no such clause, and if Messi is still contracted then Barca set the price - and if he’s not under contract then Barca have absolutely no say because he’s a free agent.