Villarreal have launched a unique initiative to celebrate Álex Baena's loyalty to the club, offering free shirt printing for fans after the Spanish winger turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli.
The Saudi club was prepared to trigger Baena's €55 million ($57m) release clause and offered him an enticing three-year deal worth €15m ($15.5m) annually. However, the 23-year-old Spain international chose to remain with the Yellow Submarine, prompting the club to show their appreciation in a distinctive way.
Villarreal announced the gesture on social media, stating: "Done. From NOW, FREE screen printing on the t-shirt @alexbbaena in Physical and Online Stores on purchases made today and tomorrow."
The decision to reject Al Ahli's offer wasn't straightforward, as revealed by Baena's mother, Sara Rodríguez. "It's been a little hectic," she explained, describing the intense 12-hour period of meetings and discussions. "For Alex, making a decision like this was complicated, since it was something very sudden and it was difficult for him."
Villarreal executive Fernando Roig expressed his delight at Baena's commitment to the club. He disclosed that they were first informed of Al Ahli's interest through Baena's agent ten days ago, with an official offer arriving on Thursday. The club refused to negotiate, emphasizing their lack of a replacement for the "extraordinary player."
The midfielder's decision to stay aligns with his long-term approach to his career at Villarreal. His mother noted that he has always maintained he would only consider leaving after proper consultation with the club, considering what's best for both parties. She added that any future opportunities would be addressed when the time comes.
Baena, who emerged from Villarreal's youth system, has been a key performer this season with five goals and five assists in 19 league appearances. His current contract with Villarreal runs until June 2028, though he remains a target for Barcelona.
