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David Haye still has a Klitschko in his sights for his next World Heavyweight title bout, but will keep his options open in case a deal cannot be hammered out.
Vitali Klitschko defeated London based Pole Albert Sosnowski in ten rounds last weekend, and immediately identified Haye as his favoured next opponent.
Deals brokered between the Bermondsey man and both Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko have fallen apart in the past, and negotiations look set to be just as tricky this time.
But a source close to Haye has told the 'News' his desire is still to fight either Ukrainian, although he is keeping his options open in case a good deal can't be struck.
They told the 'News: "The Klitschko brothers are obviously one and two as far as David is concerned, but fights with (Audley) Harrison and (Tomasz) Adamek are being discussed in case a deal with either of the brothers cannot be struck."
A fight with Harrison may prove to be an intriguing domestic dust up, but if Haye wants to retire as planned at age 31 he will be looking to take on either Klitschko as soon as possible.
The picture is further complicated by Nikolay Valuev, who Haye defeated last November, who has a re-match clause with 29-year-old Bermondsey boxer.
Ruslan Chagaev, from Uzbekistan, is now Haye's mandatory challenger after his recent points win over Aussie Kali Meehan, but he will have to wait his turn as the Bermondsey man is not required to face him imminently.
Our source added: "All avenues are still very much open to David at the moment, but they will be saying very little until the picture becomes much clearer."
The Hayemaker was last in the ring in April when he defeated American John Ruiz in nine rounds. The 38-year-old decided to hang up his gloves following that defeat in Manchester.
Of his four prospective opponents only Adamek has a fight on the near horizon. The Pole is set to take on Michael Grant in August, but a world title shot could see him sidestep that opponent.
Valuev has also been discussed as a next opponent for Vitali Klitschko, should the Haye deal not come to fruition.
Vitali Klitschko defeated London based Pole Albert Sosnowski in ten rounds last weekend, and immediately identified Haye as his favoured next opponent.
Deals brokered between the Bermondsey man and both Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko have fallen apart in the past, and negotiations look set to be just as tricky this time.
But a source close to Haye has told the 'News' his desire is still to fight either Ukrainian, although he is keeping his options open in case a good deal can't be struck.
They told the 'News: "The Klitschko brothers are obviously one and two as far as David is concerned, but fights with (Audley) Harrison and (Tomasz) Adamek are being discussed in case a deal with either of the brothers cannot be struck."
A fight with Harrison may prove to be an intriguing domestic dust up, but if Haye wants to retire as planned at age 31 he will be looking to take on either Klitschko as soon as possible.
The picture is further complicated by Nikolay Valuev, who Haye defeated last November, who has a re-match clause with 29-year-old Bermondsey boxer.
Ruslan Chagaev, from Uzbekistan, is now Haye's mandatory challenger after his recent points win over Aussie Kali Meehan, but he will have to wait his turn as the Bermondsey man is not required to face him imminently.
Our source added: "All avenues are still very much open to David at the moment, but they will be saying very little until the picture becomes much clearer."
The Hayemaker was last in the ring in April when he defeated American John Ruiz in nine rounds. The 38-year-old decided to hang up his gloves following that defeat in Manchester.
Of his four prospective opponents only Adamek has a fight on the near horizon. The Pole is set to take on Michael Grant in August, but a world title shot could see him sidestep that opponent.
Valuev has also been discussed as a next opponent for Vitali Klitschko, should the Haye deal not come to fruition.
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