Internazionale coach Hector Cuper has warned the club’s president Massimo Moratti not to sell Cristiano Zanetti without prior consultation as the deal to bring Lazio’s Alessandro Nesta to the San Siro continues to drag on.

Zanetti is wanted by Lazio in part-exchange for Nesta but Cuper is reluctant to lose the player.

“Zanetti is key and technical considerations must be taken into account,” he insisted.

The Argentinian did acknowledge that ultimattely the decision rested with the president.

“At the end of the day it is up to president Massimo Moratti,” he conceded.

If the deal falls through Juventus are waiting in the wings although they too might encounter problems with Lazio believed to be keen to include Edgar Davids in any deal involving Nesta.