Manchester United have endured a turbulent summer transfer window so far.

The Old Trafford hierarchy identified Elliot Anderson as their top target leading into the window. However, the English midfielder opted to join Manchester City in a deal worth a reported £116 million.

United also spent weeks in talks to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, but were outbid by Tottenham Hotspur, who agreed to pay a fixed fee of £85 million for the Portuguese midfielder.

Sandro Tonali was another player United held in high regard, but the club did not pursue a transfer as they deemed it too expensive. He has since moved to Tottenham Hotspur for £100 million. Aurélien Tchouaméni was another player United were very keen on, but he is set to sign a new contract at Real Madrid.

United are now set to complete a deal worth £50 million to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea, although United are reportedly no longer going through with a deal to sign Ederson. An agreement was in place between all parties, but United were not satisfied with Ederson's medical.

Having now completed a deal to sign Santos from Chelsea, United are looking to further strengthen their midfield.

According to Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, United are exploring the possibility of signing two more midfielders this summer, in addition to Santos.

"I still think there are midfielders on the radar. They'll be obviously delighted to get a deal for Andrey Santos over the line," O'Rourke said.

"Man United ideally were looking to bring in three midfielders this summer, with Casemiro leaving, and now Ugarte is out for a long-term injury as well.

"They're a bit short in that department, so getting Andres Santos in, we'll see if the Ederson deal goes ahead, but I still think they would like to bring in another midfielder for sure.

"It's been a priority for them, and there are different names on their radar who they've been looking at for a while now."

With the deal for Ederson now set to collapse, United have been strongly linked to AS Roma's Manu Kone and Wolves' Joao Gomes. The Brazilian midfielder was all set to join Atletico Madrid, but that transfer has now fallen through.

Carlos Baleba is another player United have a long-term interest in, and the club seriously explored the possibility of signing him last summer, but Brighton refused to sell.

The Cameroonian had a poor season, but he is still a player with an extremely complete skillset who could solve a lot of United's issues in midfield.

He is extremely good with the ball. He is extremely good under pressure and is a powerful carrier. In addition to his ability on the ball, he covers a lot of ground out of possession, and that is something United definitely need in midfield.

If he gets back to his best, he would undoubtedly be one of the best midfielders in the Premier League because of how complete a midfielder he is.

If Brighton opens the doors to a sale at an affordable price, United must pursue a deal.