Borussia Dortmund captain Emre Can has been sidelined since February, when he suffered an ACL tear.
Despite the long-term injury, Dortmund decided to extend the 32-year-old's expiring contract by another year, until 2027.
Since then, Can has been working on his recovery, and he recently underwent another procedure in an attempt to resolve persistent problems in the adductor region.
With the former Liverpool player not expected to return until the new year, it's currently uncertain whether he and Dortmund will continue working together beyond the expiry of his contract, as reported by Kicker and local newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten.
Can's progress during the second half of the season will likely be crucial in determining his future.
The 32-year-old joined Dortmund from Juventus in January 2020 on an initial loan deal that was later made permanent for a reported €25 million.
