TOKYO, Aug 17: Japan midfielder Alex could complete a surprise move to English Premier League club Charlton Athletic within the next week, Japanese newspapers reported Saturday.

Alex’s J-League club Shimizu S-Pulse have been approached by Charlton, who have been monitoring the player’s progress and are keen to sign the 25-year-old before the English transfer deadline on Aug 31, according to a number of Japanese dailies.

“There has been no formal offer to date but things could happen very quickly,” the Sports Hochi quoted S-Pulse spokesman Hiroshi Sawairi as saying.

Brazilian-born Alex, who switched nationalities in November, has attracted interest from Italian club Lazio and Portuguese side Porto since helping co-hosts Japan reach the second round of the World Cup but Charlton appear set for talks.

Charlton manager Alan Curbishley was quoted as saying: “(Alex) can play a number of positions and we have been looking at him.”

Alex, the J-League Player of the Year in 1999, made no secret of his desire to play in Europe after the final first-stage match of the season.

Japan’s World Cup star Junichi Inamoto joined Charlton’s London rivals Fulham last month after a frustrating year in the reserves at Arsenal.

Japan regulars Hidetoshi Nakata (Parma), Shinji Ono (Feyenoord), Shunsuke Nakamura (Reggina) and Takayuki Suzuki (Genk) also ply their trade in Europe and new Japan coach Zico would be keen to see Alex join his international team mates abroad.—Reuters