Anthony Joshua is to seek advice from his former opponent Wladimir Klitschko as a unification bout with Deontay Wilder moves ever closer.

Joshua, who holds the WBA, IBF and WBO world titles, is one strap away from becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion holding all four of the major organisation belts, and Wilder’s WBC crown is the only missing piece.

The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with a late summer showdown with Wilder and although promoter Eddie Hearn has already made an initial offer to their American rival, they are yet to receive a response.

Joshua revealed to Sky Sports he will consult his former opponent, Klitschko, for some use of the Ukrainian's knowledge.

AJ stopped Klitschko in the 11th round of their epic fight which took place at Wembley Arena in April last year, however, Joshua admitted he needs his former challenger on his side.

"If [Klitschko] can give me a little bit of his knowledge, I think it will spur me on to do better than I project," Joshua said.

"I need him on my side, definitely. I have so much respect for him.

"His brain is like a boxing encyclopedia.

"I will always look at [Klitschko], even though I beat him, as the better man because he's done more than me.

"Even though I beat him that night, in terms of his overall career, he's done so much. I will always take my hat off to him, and respect him.

"[Klitschko] was in the era when mistakes were looked at as a way to improve yourself. He lost [three] times then reigned as heavyweight champion for 10 years.

"That's phenomenal - he must have learned so much.

"When you fail, then you go again, then you fail, then you go again - he built himself to perfection."

Despite reports Wilder's team had turned down an initial offer of £8.8 million to fight Joshua, promoter Hearn is open to re-negotiating and revealed he is to travel to America in hope of finalising a deal.

Hearn said: "I'm going to look to meet up with [Wilder's representatives] in New York, get face to face with them, look into the whites of their eyes, and just see if we can make a deal.

"We've made an offer that we feel is substantial, if not we're happy to talk about the numbers and look at their ideas as well" 

Looking ahead to the potential clash, Joshua further discussed his frustration with the trash-talking between himself and Wilder and insists he would much rather leave the talking for the fight.

"When you're a fighter you can't let certain things slide," Joshua said last week.

"Even though I try to keep it professional and I don't want to bite back, I've got that fight instinct. Sometimes you need to give as good as you get.

"I'd rather do it face to face. That's what I'm waiting for. That's what I've always said."