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Mayor Joe Anderson today welcomed Farhad Moshiri's Everton investment deal and said he hopes the Blues can now keep their best players and re-establish themselves as one of England's top clubs.

The city council leader and Everton supporter revealed that he met with Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright last week in London to discuss his breakthrough in the long search for major investment.

Everton announced yesterday that Iranian billionaire Moshiri has bought a 49.9% shareholding in the Goodison outfit and intends to galvanise the club with further investment.

And Anderson welcomed the development as a positive step forward for the club, and believes the Blues may now have the financial power to retain their best young players such as Ross Barkley, Romelu Lukaku and John Stones.

The trio have all variously been linked with moves to wealthier clubs capable of competing in the Champions League, but Labour leader Anderson said that may now not have to be the case.

"It's great for Everton and as a supporter myself it brings you optimism," he said. "Hopefully it means that as fans we don't have to worry as much about our best player being sold and instead we can look up."

One of the biggest concerns I had was for the close season meaning players leave because there was no investment on the horizon to keep them and attract other big talent.

"If the new investor is serious about taking the club to the next level then it's vital to retain these talented young players we have."It's great news for Evertonians and good news for the city.

"Kenwright has suffered from ill health over the last year and Mayor Anderson added: "It was good to see Bill looking so well when we met. He updated me on what was going on and that a deal was close.

"Let's really hope that the club can achieve big things now."