Andrej Kramaric
Andrej Kramaric (right) has been in excellent form, scoring 21 goals from 18 appearances in the Croatian League this season.Reuters

Croatia international Andrej Kramaric has been advised to join Leicester City instead of Chelsea despite reports suggesting the Blues are on the verge of landing the striker in January.

The 23-year-old, who has been in excellent form this season, scoring 28 goals from 30 appearances in all competitions, is reportedly being monitored by a number of clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan.

But it is believed that Chelsea, who are reportedly considering the £7.5 million-rated striker as a potential replacement for Didier Drogba, have already emerged victorious in the race to sign the Croatian.

Leicester City are also interested in landing the striker in January, with there being reports the Foxes' owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha is ready to break the club transfer record to help his side remain in the English Premier League beyond this season.

But, the player's father and agent Joza Kramaric is not keen on letting his son join the struggling Leicester City, insisting that a move to the King Power Stadium would be the "worst choice" for the 23-year-old.

Rijeka-based agent Predrag Racki, however, disagrees with Joza as he feels that Leicester City is currently the best option for Kramaric.

"Kramaric and his father had their brains washed regarding Leicester's position in the league table - like they'll get relegated, go bust or disappear," Racki told Croatian publication Sportske Novosti.

"And what if Leicester stay up? They have another 19 games left - nothing's decided yet. And what if the owner refreshes the team with new signings worth £40 million?"

Racki feels that Kramaric will only remain on the bench or get loaned out to other clubs like his compatriots Matej Delac, Mario Pasalic and Stipe Perica if he joins Chelsea.

"If he chooses Chelsea, Kramaric won't ever set foot on the Stamford Bridge pitch," he added. "He'll get lost in Holland, just like Delac, Pasalic or Perica. All that 'glitter' lasts two or three days."

The Croatian agent feels that the former Dinamo Zagreb striker will get a "real opportunity to showcase his talent" if he joins Leicester City.

"It's true that Leicester doesn't sound that attractive, but the 19 games for such a player is a real opportunity to showcase his talent. Prove yourself - you either got it or you don't."

However, it does not seem like Kramaric and his father/agent are going to heed Racki's advice as the striker looks close to sealing a move to Stamford Bridge after Rijeka sporting director Ivan Mance confirmed that his side have received a formal offer from Chelsea.

"I can confirm that our office received a formal offer from London's Chelsea," Mance told Sportske Novosti.

It is believed that the striker will be penning a four-and-a-half year contract worth around £20,000-a-week with the Blues once the transfer is completed.