Nice president Claude Puel is supremely confident that his club will have no problem in completing the signing of Hatem Ben Arfa.
FIFA rulings state that a player cannot play for more than two clubs in official competition during a season which has put the move in doubt.
However, Ben Arfa's sole appearance for Newcastle United this term was not an official match prior to his unsuccessful loan with Hull City suggesting to Puel that the Ligue 1 outfit will be able to get their man who has already agreed terms and signed a contract at Allianz Riviera.
"For us, his eligibility is not in doubt," Puel told the club's official website.
"The English federation wrote to the French federation and to FIFA explaining that the match played by Hatem (for Newcastle) did not count towards an official competition.
"The advantages are with us and with the player. There is no reason why he will not be eligible as normal.
"We are optimistic and positive that he can return to France, return to Ligue 1 and, I hope, explode with OGC Nice."
The FIFA ruling, which is not expected to deny Ben Arfa's move, reads: "Players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season. During this period, the player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs."
