Watch: Barcelona captain shares recovery update amid January transfer rumours | OneFootball

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has entered the final phase of his recovery process after undergoing surgery last July to resolve persistent lower back pain. 

The operation was initially expected to keep him sidelined for around three months, a timeframe that the player himself predicted before the procedure.

Now, almost exactly three months later, Ter Stegen has provided an encouraging update. 

The German shared a video on social media showing himself training alone on the pitch for the first time since the operation. 

In the footage, the Barcelona goalkeeper can be seen moving comfortably, receiving and passing the ball with precision, though he has yet to be seen diving or making goal-line saves.

Alongside the clip, Ter Stegen expressed his happiness at being back on the field, writing, “It feels good to be back on the field for training sessions again.”

When will he return?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marc ter Stegen (@mterstegen1)

While the latest progress marks a significant step forward, Barcelona are expected to take a cautious approach. 

The club’s medical team has forecast that the German shot-stopper will not receive full clearance until December or early January, as his recovery remains under La Liga’s official classification for a long-term injury.

Interestingly, speculation about Ter Stegen’s future has started to surface in recent weeks.

As reported before, the 33-year-old is no longer ruling out a potential loan move in the January transfer window to regain match fitness ahead of the FIFA World Cup next year.

As such, several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, have reportedly been monitoring his recovery closely, intrigued by the possibility of securing a short-term deal for one of Europe’s most experienced goalkeepers. 

Although nothing concrete has emerged yet, interest from England could become serious if the player’s recovery continues to progress smoothly.