Catalans Dragons' bid to bring veteran forward Willie Mason back to Super League hinges on the player's ability to obtain a Samoan passport.
The 35-year-old former Kangaroos prop is a free agent after being released by Manly Sea Eagles at the end of last season and has been in discussions with the Dragons since November.
However, the Catalans have no room on their overseas quota and could only register Mason under the Kolpak ruling, which gives citizens of countries with European Union association agreements the same right to freedom of work as EU citizens.
The former Canterbury Bulldogs, Sydney Roosters, North Queensland and Newcastle prop was released by Hull KR just six months into a three-year contract in 2011, with the club claiming he was unable to obtain a Tongan passport that would have enabled him to come off their quota.
Mason played for Tonga in the 2000 World Cup before going on to win 27 caps for Australia but, according to the Catalans chief executive Christophe Jouffret, has Samoan heritage.
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"We are very close but the deal is not done yet," Jouffret said.
"He needs a Samoan passport because we have a full quota. The ball is in his court and he is very confident."
Mason had a brief spell in rugby union with French club Toulon following his departure from Hull KR before returning to the NRL with Newcastle.
"He would be a great recruit," Jouffret added.
"We need a big prop. He's not very young but he has a lot of experience and he would be a big boy in our pack."
