Eddie Hearn, promoter for IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, says an agreement to face WBC champion Tyson Fury would likely have to be a two-fight agreement.
Hearn indicates that Joshua is willing to work out the details and sign a deal right now - for a 2021 showdown with Fury.
Both champions have contracted obligations on the table, which are looming to take place this year.
Joshua has to make a mandatory defense against Kubrat Pulev. There is still no concrete date or location, as everyone waits for an opening with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
And Fury has a contracted trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder, which is targeted for the fall.
Provided both champions win their bouts, the full division unification will be in line.
"It would probably be a two-fight deal," Hearn told Sky Sports. "Any deal between Fury and AJ, you run it twice. It is not a condition of the deal but it was in their deal with Deontay Wilder, and it is the biggest fight in boxing, so it is likely you will see that twice.
"Wilder is not going to be stepping aside so [Pulev] is the fight for us. I had a conversation [on Thursday] saying: 'Wilder is not stepping aside, we will take care of that fight, you take care of the Pulev fight, but let's get a deal done for 2021'.
"We have no problem signing now to fight Fury in 2021. It will work out better for both of them to box off those fights then have a clear route, subject to Dillian Whyte being mandatory to Fury, to get [an undisputed title fight] done."