The teams of Fury and the Ukrainian heavyweight have failed to agree on terms for a potential undisputed title fight.
Usyk's representatives insist the fight is off, but Frank Warren (Fury's UK promoter) believes talks can yet be salvaged.
Speaking ahead of his own fight against American Jermaine Franklin this coming weekend, Joshua teased a battle with 'the Gypsy King'.
"There is no better time (to face Fury)," he said, with a slight smile on his face, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
"Provided the Usyk fight doesn't happen, and he doesn't fight anyone in between, he needs me at the minute."
'AJ' clarified that he believes a win over Franklin is required to justify fighting Fury. "I've got to fight like I am leaning towards a championship fight," he said.
"The current champions need to look at me and think 'he's a serious contender coming up', so that's how that feels now."
