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Boca president wants Tevez back: 'We will have a talk'

Reuters / Marcos Brindicci

Just five games into his lucrative contract with Shanghai Shenhua, Carlos Tevez has already become a veritable pariah in the Far East.

But the 33-year-old, who's struggled with the local language and food, may have a way out.

Boca Juniors president Daniel Angelici has scheduled to meet with Tevez in August to discuss a sensational return to his childhood club.

"For me personally, I would like to have Tevez back, even just one leg of him. He is great player and I have great admiration and affection for him," Angelici told ESPN FC.

Tevez left Boca Juniors for Shenhua in December, signing a two-year contract worth $40 million, according to The Associated Press.

Locals, however, criticised the former Manchester United and Manchester City striker on the weekend after he appeared to exaggerate a calf injury. Tevez was pictured strolling through Shanghai's Disneyland while his club took on Changchun Yatai.

Last month, Shenhua manager Gus Poyet batted away suggestions that Tevez could call it quits, but admitted his star player had encountered difficulties adjusting to Chinese culture.

The relative success of Chinese Super League challenger and city rival Shanghai SIPG - which boasts the likes of Oscar and Hulk - has only put more pressure on Tevez.

Aside from his debut goal in a 4-0 thrashing of Jiangsu Suning, the Argentine has yet to meet expectations.

It's provided Angelici a little bit of wiggling room ahead of a tough negotiation process.

"I know that he left only recently and I am familiar with the type of deal he signed," said the club president. "I am convinced that in August we can begin to speak. But I am also aware that these are very personal decisions for him and his family and we must respect that.

"My obligation as the leader of the club is to work hard so that he may return."

Money would not be an issue, according to Angelici, even if a buy-back deal would compel the Buenos Aires outfit to refund 60 percent of the original transfer fee.

Angelici also confirmed on-loan winger Ricardo Centurion could remain at Boca on a permanent basis.

"We could have the both of them and still go out and seek top players," he said. "Our goal next year is to win Copa Libertadores."

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