A heavyweight title unification bout between Wilder and Joshua, who will be in New York on Tuesday to promote his forthcoming fight with Alexander Povetkin, has long been touted, but a deal between the two camps has yet to be struck as arguments rage over the purse split and a potential venue.
Now Wilder’s co-manager Shelly Finkel says a face-to-face meeting could break the deadlock.
He told Sky Sports: “It is Deontay’s choice whether to meet Joshua or not.
“In the past Deontay always liked Joshua and would definitely have met him. Now I am not as sure, but probably he would.”
Before any Joshua-Wilder fight can be finalised, the Briton will first have to take care of Povetkin at Wembley on September 22.
The Russian has only lost once to Wladimir Klitschko in his 35-fight career and is the WBA’s mandatory challenger for the title.
Joshua also holds the IBF and WBO belts, with Wilder the WBC champion.
Povetkin knocked out Briton David Price on the undercard of Joshua’s March defence against Joseph Parker his 24th KO success – to earn his title shot.
Price says the big-punching 38-year-old will be a dangerous opponent despite being seen as a big underdog.
“It isn’t as one-sided a fight as some people are seeing it,” the Liverpudlian said. “They should be excited about that fight because it will be good while it lasts.
“The longer it goes on the more it’s in Joshua’s favour.
“(Povetkin) thought he could just knock me out as soon as he hit me, but after four rounds he was starting to blow, and in a lot of his fights he does start blowing after four rounds.”