Ornstein transfer latest: Tonali, Bergvall, Balogun

In this episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, host Emma Paton leads a discussion on the standout performances from the World Cup, focusing on Lionel Messi's remarkable achievement of scoring 18 goals to become the tournament's all-time leading scorer. Co-hosts Tim Spears and Mark Critchley analyze Messi's continued excellence at age 39, noting the records he has broken including most World Cup games played and most minutes played. They also discuss Kylian Mbappé's impressive performance in France's 3-0 victory over Iraq, where he scored two goals, bringing his total to 16 goals in World Cup games. The podcast touches on the lengthy rain delay during the match that may have affected momentum for both teams.

The discussion shifts to transfers, particularly Tottenham's interest in certain midfielders like Lucas Bergvall from Tottenham and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle. David Ornstein, a football correspondent, shares insights on how these transfers could shake up the midfield landscape in the Premier League. The episode also highlights the excitement building for players like Folarin Balogun as the tournament progresses, and the ongoing speculation surrounding Julian Alvarez's potential move to Barcelona. Listeners are encouraged to keep track of all the latest transfer news and enjoy the dynamics of the ongoing World Cup tournament.