Joleon Lescott timeline: How the summer's most acrimonious transfer saga unfolded

The tug-of-war between Everton and Manchester City over Joleon Lescott took another twist today when David Moyes dropped the defender for tomorrow night's Europa League qualifier.

Here's how the summer's most acrimonious transfer saga developed…

Sunday June 7
England defender Joleon Lescott is linked with a move to Manchester City, but Everton manager David Moyes insists he has no plans to sell: "There is no way that we are going to be letting any players go."

Thursday June 25
It's rumoured that City boss Mark Hughes plans to use Brazilian striker Jô as bait in a bid to persuade Everton to sell Lescott.

Thursday July 2
Reports suggest that Everton value Lescott at £20m – £5m more than City are willing to fork out for the defender.

Saturday July 4
The Mirror reports that Lescott may be forced to hand in a transfer request if he is to get his move to City.

Tuesday July 7
The Mirror reports that City boss Mark Hughes will increase his efforts to recruit Lescott following the failure of his bid to prise John Terry away from Chelsea.

Wednesday July 15
Everton manager David Moyes tells shareholders at a forum at Goodison Park that none of his players will be sold. "I have already said there will be no players sold at Everton and I do not feel I need to say any more."

Thursday July 16
Manchester City table an official £15m bid for Lescott , promising to treble the defender's £30,000 a week wages.

Friday July 17
Moyes rejects the offer out of hand.

Saturday July 18
It's reported that City are about to increase their offer for Lescott to £18m.

Sunday July 19
Everton reportedly slap a £30m price tag on the England defender.

Thursday July 30
Everton reject a second bid for Lescott. "We have received an offer of £18m for Joleon and that offer has been rejected outright," says a club statement.

Sunday August 2
Reports suggest Lescott is about to hand in a transfer request at Everton.

Tuesday August 4
Lescott tells Everton he wants to leave… but stops short of handing in an official transfer request.

Wednesday August 5
The Mirror reports that Lescott will write to Everton chairman Bill Kenwright and ask to join City.

Thursday August 6
The Mirror reports that Hughes is preparing a third, take-it-or-leave-it bid of £22m , rejecting Everton's valuation of £30m: "We've put two bids in and maybe there's headroom to go back in. But if they're talking about £30m its difficult to speak about it.

Friday August 7
Lescott is cheered by Everton fans every time he touches the ball during a pre-season friendly against Malaga at Goodison Park.

Monday August 10
Lescott finally makes a formal transfer request to Everton, but Moyes rips it up : "I have always said that we are not selling any players and that has not changed."

Wednesday August 12
The Mirror reports that City are demanding to see Lescott's medical records before mounting yet another bid for the defender.

Thursday August 13
Reports suggest Mark Hughes plans to bring in negotiators Kia Joorabchian and Pini Zahavi in an attempt to persuade Everton owners Bill Kenwright and Robert Earl to sell.

Friday August 14
Moyes describes City's continued pursuit of Lescott as disgusting : "The way it has been handled is disgusting and all it has done is disrupted our club. We do not do our business in public, we would go to the right people to find out what is happening."

Saturday August 15
Lescott turns in a dismal performance as Everton lose their opening Premier League match 6- 1 at home to Arsenal.

Sunday August 16
Hughes hits back at Moyes' criticism: "We feel we are doing things the right way and through the proper channels. I'm not surprised David feels a bit aggrieved with the situation, you always are when a big club is trying to sign one of your best players."

Wednesday August 19
Moyes drops Lescott from the squad for Everton's opening Europa League game against Sigma Olomouc: "His attitude in the past few days has been poor and for that reason I won't include him. I've always thought he was a good lad. He has not only let himself down but his team-mates, too."