TOKYO -- Japan midfielder Alex is set to travel to London for talks with English Premier League club Charlton Athletic today, according to Shimizu S-Pulse officials.

Charlton have been monitoring Alex since he helped co-hosts Japan reach the second round of the World Cup earlier this year and are reportedly keen to sign the 25-year-old before the English transfer deadline on August 31.

"Alex can go over (to England) first. He is a young player who has come through the ranks at Shimizu and we want to give him a chance to fulfil his dreams," S-Pulse spokesman Hiroshi Sawairi said after the 0-0 draw with Yokohama F-Marinos on Saturday.

Brazilian-born Alex, who switched nationalities in November, has attracted interest from Italian club Lazio and Portuguese side Porto since the World Cup but Charlton look poised to make a formal offer, Reuters reported.

"He's coming over (to train), he should be here by Tuesday and we'll see how he performs," Charlton Manager Alan Curbishley told reporters after Charlton's 3-2 league defeat to Chelsea on Saturday. "He can have a look at us as well... There's a long way before anything is agreed but we have been looking at him, among others. We need cover in that position."