Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Rijeka striker Andrej Kramaric ahead of the January transfer window, with the talented young star set to move on loan to Leicester City as soon as he moves to Stamford Bridge, according to journalist Aleksander Holiga.

Reports in Croatia confirm agreement between Rijeka and Chelsea for Kramaric has been reached. The player will go on loan to Leicester.

— Aleksandar Holiga (@AlexHoliga) December 30, 2014

Kramaric has emerged as one of the most highly rated young strikers in world football, having scored a stunning 28 goals in 30 games since the start of the season.

He has also been capped by the Croatian national side.

The 23 year old is thought to have been lined up by the Blues as a direct replacement to Didier Drogba, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

Rijeka were believed to have valued Kramaric at around £8 million, although there is no confirmation over the fee paid by the west London side.

Leicester were also chasing him, but now seem likely to secure him only on a temporary basis until the end of the season.

Chelsea have opened up talks to bring Croatian international Andrej Kramaric to the club from HNK Rijeka.

Kramaric has been in exceptional form for Rijeka, who, like Chelsea, are pushing for the title.

He has played 19 games this campaign, but hit home a staggering 21 goals in that time, more than a goal every game.

As a result, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is eyeing him up as a potential signing, and wants to bring him to the club in January, if possible.

However, a deal for the 23 year old striker could be held up.

Kramaric’s father has expressed his fears over the move to the press.

Those fears centre around the plans for Kramaric upon his arrival at Chelsea.

Josip Kramaric, his father, has admitted that if his son should sign for the Blues, the intent would be to loan him out for the next six months.

He does not believe the plan is clear yet, and that could hold the transfer back.

“They [Chelsea] are really persistent. The thing we disagree over is Andrej’s loan over the next six months,” he told T Portal.

“The question is where would he go on loan? We have no guarantee that he would return to Chelsea when the loan ends.

“The financial conditions wouldn’t be the same if Kramaric is with the Chelsea first team or somewhere on loan.

“True, it’s a great club, but I’m not sure if it’s the right way to go.”

Our verdict

Like any young player joining Chelsea, the fear for Kramaric is that he gets lost in the shuffle. Even so, he can look to the likes of Romelu Lukaku for what can still be achieved if that happens.