TOKYO Japan striker Naohiro Takahara is poised to join Argentina's Boca Juniors on a five-year contract, Japanese newspapers reported on Sunday.

According to the **** Nikkan Sports **** daily, Takahara will fly to Buenos Aires on Tuesday to sign a formal contract with Boca that will make him the third Japanese international to move abroad in the past month.

Junichi Inamoto recently joined English Premier League side Arsenal, while Shinji Ono signed for Dutch first division club Feyenoord.

The 22-year-old Takahara will be on loan from the J-League's Jubilo Iwata for the first year of his contract before joining boca on a permanent basis from August 2002, the **** Nikkan Sports **** said.

Details have yet to be worked out between the two clubs, Reuters quoted the paper as saying.

Boca, who won South America's Libertadores Cup for the second year running last month, reportedly beat a number of European clubs, including Arsenal, in the race to sign Takahara, who has scored eight goals in 13 matches for Japan.

Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger told reporters he was "keen on" Takahara when the Frenchman was in Japan working as a television analyst during the Confederations Cup in May and June.

Boca Manager Carlos Bianchi is understood to have contacted Japan Coach Philippe Troussier to ask about Takahara after watching the player on television.

If his transfer is completed in time, Takahara could make his debut for the intercontinental champions on the opening day of the Argentine season on August 5.

But he will have his work cut out to force his way into Boca's first team ahead of strikers Marcelo Delgado and Guillermo Barros Schelotto.