EPL Transfer Rumors for the Bottom of the Table as They Seek to Avoid the Drop

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Mick McCarthy, manager of Wolves, shouts his instructions during the Barclays Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers at Molineux on May 22, 2011 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

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Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers all managed to avoid the drop last season thanks to the events on the final day of the season.

Wolves managed to stay one point clear of Birmingham City and Blackpool, who suffered a devastating loss to Manchester United on the final day of the season.

Wigan were next best in 16th position on 42 points and Blackburn Rovers finished a lucky 15th on 43 points but have much ground to make up if they intend to do as good or any better this coming campaign.

This season, they will likely face another struggle at the bottom unless something can be done to help them get better results this years.

Along with the need to strengthen for their own sake, they also will have three new teams freshly promoted in Queens Park Rangers, Norwich City and Swansea City, all of whom will be gunning to outwit last seasons bottom-feeders to retain their newly achieved English Premier League Status.

With all that in mind, here are some of the hottest transfer updates for the clubs in the bottom half that will be looking to improve on last season's results in order to finish better than last term.

11:50 PM ET

Swansea Continue Hunt for New Faces Despite the Loss of Pratley to Bolton

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Swansea City boss Brendan Rodgers is in the thick of transfer negotiations after being dealt a severe blow to his upcoming season on July 3rd, 2011 when standout midfielder Darren Pratley left the club to sign with Owen Coyle's Bolton Wanderers.

The loss appears to have been taken in stride so far as business continues as usual for the Welsh club as they are lining up a loan move for Fulham shot stopper David Stockdale. The 25-year old continues to be the understudy to Australian keeper Mark Schwarzer who continues to show no signs of slowing down.

Since joining Fulham in 2008, Stockdale has been on loan three straight seasons, with the last one seeing him earn 21 starts for Plymouth Argyle.

Another loan move would see him gain valuable English Premier League experience as he nears closer to the full time job at Craven Cottage, and possible time in the thick of an impending relegation battle would be valuable experience for the player.

Fulham's new manager Martin Jol got his first win in his opening match for Fulham as they started their UEFA Europa League Campaign, and he looks open to the Loan talk for Stockdale according to his following statement quoted by the Sun:

"If you are a young player you should play so I feel we have to find opportunities for them."

This could mean that the door is open for further negotiations.

11:29 PM ET

Mick McCarthy Looks to Strengthen Defense with Chase for Mills

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Wolverhampton Wanderers have already inked the permanent move of midfielder Jamie O'Hara from Tottenham after he had a great loan spell with the club last season. His time at Molineux Stadium saw him compete in 14 league matches and notch home 3 goals, and provided some excellent midfield play, thus prompting his permanent move from Spurs.

During his six years at White Heart Lane he seemed destined to continue looking for playing time in more loan spells with Harry Redknapp never truly seeming interested in the services of the 24 year old.

His £5million signing has finally presented him with a permanent home and he seems eager to get into the thick of it as a member of Mick McCarthy's charges.

O'Hara has also been a keen supporter in the press for his Manager's pursuit of Reading defender and skipper Matt Mill's. Wolves are said to have originally opened the bidding for the player with a £3million off but it now could possibly be pushed up into the £4million range to beat out competition from Blackburn Rovers and other clubs in search of his services.

The England national had the following comments about Mills quoted by Setanta Sports earlier today, Tuesday July 5, 2011:

"He's a good lad and he'll fit right into our squad. It's important to fit in straight away with the boys, and he'll have no problems. He had a great season in the Championship with Reading and if we can get him then that would be great."

However, Reading Manager Brian McDermott is keen to retain his star defender, and stated that the club had indeed turned down the first offer from Wolverhampton.

The next few days could see more information on the deal come to light.

11:15 PM ET

Norwich City Continue to Press for Pilkington After Signing Johnson and Morison

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Newly promoted Norwich City have already secured the signing of Millwall's former striker Steve Morison and he looks set to make a big impact for the club and is already optimistic that they can avoid the drop.

An interview on ESPNsoccernet.com at the end of June quoted him as saying:

''Once you get into the top flight you want to stay in it because so much hard work is required to get to that stage. The Premier League is where this club belongs and I'm sure that the manager and the team will do everything they can to make us stay there."

With that said the team has been looking to continue with their player influx following the promising arrival of Morison who scored 35 goals in 83 league appearances for Milwall between 2009 and 2011.

Four days ago only July 1st, 2011 the club sealed their fifth signing of the summer with the arrival of former Leeds Untied midfielder Bradley Johnson on a three year deal.

Johnson was named Leeds' 2010-11 player of the year after a season that included 49 appearances and six goals for the once mighty club.

The move appears to be a dream come true when you take his comments from the previously linked article at face value:

''I have dreamed of playing in the Premier League since I was younger and I feel I have done a lot of hard work to get there, coming up from the Ryman League now all the way to getting a chance in the Premier League, I just can't wait to get started."

Now that those two have joined, the club continue to look for strength and squad depth as they now chase the signature of Anthony Pilkington from Huddersfield Town.

The 23 year old winger and forward has amassed 92 league appearances for the club while in route to scoring 19 goals. His creative spark and attacking play are hoped to add more edge to the Canaries attack.

His move looks to be in the £2million range and it now seems that the move is only pending a medical according to both the Daily Mirror and Sky Sports.