Google Inc is in talks to buy mobile-payments company Softcard, technology news website TechCrunch reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The deal could help pair Google with the largest U.S. wireless carriers to battle Apple Inc and its new Apple Pay service, TechCrunch wrote.

The deal may be valued below $100 million, the report said citing sources.

Softcard is jointly owned by AT&T Inc, Verizon Communication Inc's Verizon Wireless Inc and T-Mobile US Inc.

Google was not immediately available for comment outside regular U.S. business hours.

"We do not comment on merger speculation," said a Softcard representative.