Shanghai Shenhua have granted Carlos Tevez permission to return to Argentina for treatment on a calf injury after receiving a written guarantee he will return before the end of the month, according to the South China Morning Post.
Tevez has played just 11 games and scored only twice since joining Shenhua at the start of the Chinese Super League season from Boca Juniors in a two-year deal for a transfer fee of €11 million.
The 33-year-old former Manchester City and Juventus striker has struggled for fitness since suffering the injury in April, and he has requested the club allow him to travel to his homeland for additional treatment.
"According to the request from Carlos Tevez to our club, after discussion, we now approve his request," Shenhua are reported to have said in the agreement with Tevez.
"He's permitted to go back to Argentina and receive treatment at the Clinica Jorge Bombicino and he must rejoin the team on Aug. 30 and participate in training."
Speculation has been mounting in both China and Argentina that Tevez wants to re-join Boca Juniors, and he did not rule out a return in a recent radio interview, during which he also said he would soon be "on holiday in Buenos Aires."
However, David Wang, a Spanish translator working with Shenhua, was quoted as saying by the SCMP: "He didn't go back to enjoy a holiday, he went back for the rehabilitation of his muscles.
"The rehabilitation process requires two weeks, but it will take two days to go and two days to come back.
"As the players are required to report to the club on Aug. 28, Tevez won't have enough time to do the rehabilitation, so the management of the club suggested him to leave a few days before the break and allow him to come back two days later."