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

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

The deal could help pair Google with the largest US 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.

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

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